Pakistan’s T20 World Cup threat a force of habit, not compulsion: History shows PCB has bitten off more than it can chew

PCB has been the only ICC member board to support Bangladesh’s concerns about not sending its team to India for the T20 World Cup, citing “security concerns”. Not only did it write to the governing council earlier this month voicing its backing, but it also offered to host Bangladesh’s World Cup matches. In addition, PCB, along with Bangladesh, cast the only two votes in favour of addressing the concerns at the ICC’s final board meeting, before the apex body announced Scotland as the replacement team for the World Cup.

Naqvi did not stop there. He turned what had been a week-long speculation in the Pakistani media into reality, stating that it was time for Pakistan to review its participation in the World Cup—clearly revealing that boycotting the tournament is on the cards.

While the decision has drawn ire from experts, irrespective of nationality, a few have gone as far as to not read much into what has been labelled a “threat”. Why? Because there have been past instances, most recently ahead of the Asia Cup in 2023 and the Champions Trophy in 2025, when similar “boycott” remarks from previous PCB heads proved to be empty threats.

The decision angered then PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, who threatened to boycott the continental tournament if the hosting rights were taken away from PCB. The threat soon spilled over to the 2023 World Cup, with PCB stating that Pakistan would not send its team to India for the ICC tournament.

Amid the prolonged impasse, successive PCB chairman Najam Sethi’s proposal was eventually accepted: Pakistan hosted four games of the Asia Cup, while the remainder of the tournament, including the final, was staged in Sri Lanka. The ACC’s acceptance of the hybrid model also resolved the issue surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the 2023 World Cup.

This time, PCB demanded a written explanation from the BCCI after it refused to accept the hybrid model for the tournament. With the Indian board remaining firm on its stance and formally approaching the ICC, PCB threatened to pull out of the tournament if the hosting rights were taken away.

ICC’s last-minute intervention eventually saw PCB accept Dubai as a neutral venue for all of India’s matches, defusing the standoff.

Moreover, the ICC has reportedly warned of sanctions, including a potential Asia Cup ban and restrictions on issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) for foreign players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Added to that are the financial implications, which include the loss of participation fees and the possibility of legal action from host broadcasters.

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