PCB chief Naqvi criticizes ICC, says unfair treatment must end

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has sharply criticised the International Cricket Council after Bangladesh’s removal from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s refusal to travel to India for the event. Naqvi accused the ICC of applying double standards and urged the governing body to treat all member nations equally.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lahore, Naqvi said Bangladesh “has been treated unfairly” and should not have been excluded over its decision to withdraw. “You cannot have double standards, where one country is allowed to make decisions at will, while another is denied the same consideration,” he said, stressing that Bangladesh is “a major stakeholder” in global cricket.

Naqvi reiterated that his criticism was also raised during ICC board meetings, where he argued against what he described as unequal treatment. “That is why we have taken the stand that Bangladesh should be allowed to play the World Cup in any case,” he added, emphasising the need for fairness in international cricket governance. The controversy stems from Bangladesh’s refusal to play its scheduled World Cup matches in India, citing security and diplomatic concerns after the exclusion of a key player in the Indian Premier League and a lack of satisfactory assurances from the ICC and host cricket board. After the governing body rejected the board’s request to relocate matches, Scotland was named as Bangladesh’s replacement in the tournament.

Naqvi also hinted that Pakistan’s final stance regarding its own participation in the World Cup will align with the government’s decision, indicating that broader regional sentiment could influence future involvement. “We are waiting for the prime minister to return. Once that happens, a final decision will be taken,” he said, underscoring that decisions taken by any one country should not adversely affect others.