Mohsin Naqvi to Shehbaz Sharif: Safeguard ICC Relations in T20 World Cup 2026 Call

Uncertainty continues over Pakistan’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi indicating that a final decision will be announced shortly. Naqvi has conveyed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that maintaining strong relations with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member boards is a key consideration in the decision-making process.

According to reports, Naqvi informed the Prime Minister that the PCB would reveal its final stance on Pakistan’s participation either on Friday or early next week. The first internal deadline set by the PCB chief has now arrived, raising anticipation within the cricketing fraternity as fans and stakeholders await clarity on whether Pakistan will feature in the global tournament.

While no official announcement has been made so far, Pakistani media have reported that Salman Ali Agha and members of the Pakistan team have booked flights to Colombo, suggesting that preparations for participation may already be underway. However, the PCB has not confirmed these developments, keeping the situation fluid and open to last-minute changes.

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Naqvi’s message to the Prime Minister reportedly stressed the importance of preserving Pakistan’s standing within international cricket. He is said to have underlined that any decision regarding the T20 World Cup must balance national considerations with the need to maintain cooperative ties with the ICC and other cricket boards.

The situation was briefly overshadowed by a social media gaffe by Naqvi, who mistakenly referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as Nawaz Sharif in a post about their meeting. The error was later corrected, but not before drawing attention online. In the corrected message, Naqvi said the prime minister had advised resolving the ICC-related matter while keeping all options open.

With the deadline nearing and speculation intensifying, more clarity is expected in the coming days. Until an official statement is issued by the PCB, Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 remains uncertain, adding an element of suspense to the build-up for the biennial tournament.

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