Pakistan T20 World Cup Participation LIVE Updates: Pak PM's 'Direction' Revealed After Meeting With PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi

The Pakistan cricket team could potentially make some kind of gesture in order to express their support towards Bangladesh during the T20 World Cup 2026, according to reports by Telecom Asia Sport. Wearing black armbands during their matches or issuing a statement ahead of the tournament are some of the options reportedly being explored.

Meanwhile, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla affirmed that the BCCI had ensured complete security to Bangladesh should they travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026.

"We wanted Bangladesh to play, and we also assured full security, but since they have made this decision, it is very difficult to change the entire schedule at the last moment," Shukla told ANI on Monday.

Pakistan's possible dates for announcing their decision on a potential boycott - Jan 30 and Feb 2 - are extremely close to the start of the T20 World Cup 2026. Should Pakistan announce their decision on February 2, it would be just 5 days ahead of the first match of the tournament, which is incidentally between Pakistan and Netherlands.

Amidst the row regarding the participation of Pakistan in the T20 World Cup stretching on, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has claimed that Pakistan have misled and provoked Bangladesh by pretending to by sympathisers.

"Pakistan is unnecessarily stuck in this matter. Pakistan are playing a big role in provoking Bangladesh. They should not be doing this. The entire world knows what Pakistan have done to Bangladesh, including Bangladeshis. Now Pakistan are trying to take Bangladesh down the wrong route, by trying to be sympathisers," Rajeev Shukla told ANI on Monday.

Here is what Mohsin Naqvi said in his social media post, in full:

"Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday."

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has taken to social media after his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stating that all options are on the table, and a final decision will be taken on either Friday (Jan 30) or Monday (Feb 2).

The final decision on Pakistan's stance and any potential boycott at the T20 World Cup 2026 will be made by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, NDTV understands. While his meeting with PCB chairman Naqvi ended a while ago, no official confirmation on a stance has come yet.

NDTV has learnt from sources that the meeting between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif went on for around 30 minutes, with Naqvi providing a briefing on the entire situation. The final call taken in the meeting is yet to be known.

According to some reports in Pakistan media, Pakistan are also considering boycotting just their match against India as the row over the T20 World Cup 2026 rages on. However, there is no clarity yet regarding this matter.

NDTV sources learnt that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is "unhappy" with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi's confrontational approach, and could impose significant penalties on Pakistan cricket if they follow through with a withdrawal from the T20 World Cup. These include:

- Potential suspension of all bilateral series

- Possible exclusion from the Asia Cup

- Coordinated "No NOC" policy among member boards for foreign players in PSL

Any of these sanctions could severely impact the PCB's revenue and Pakistan cricket's commercial value.

According to a PCB release, Naqvi briefed the Pakistan players on the broader context surrounding the ICC's decision to replace Bangladesh, and stated that their stance depends on the government's advice.

"We stand with you on whatever decision you and the government take," the players told Naqvi, backing the possibility of a boycott if advised by Islamabad.

Here's a brief recap of how the saga started that has led to Pakistan considering a withdrawal from the T20 World Cup 2026:

- Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman is excluded from IPL 2026 amid political tension between India and Bangladesh

- Bangladesh refuse to play T20 World Cup 2026 in India, citing security concerns

- ICC reject venue change for Bangladesh, after thorough security assessment

- Bangladesh stay firm in refusal, ICC replace them with Scotland

- PCB express solidarity with Bangladesh, consider boycott

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