NEW DELHI — Former Indian fast-bowling all-rounder Irfan Pathan has delivered a blistering critique of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), labeling their threats to pull out of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as “utter nonsense.” Pathan’s comments come as the PCB remains in a standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the removal of Bangladesh from the tournament.
Speaking to media, Pathan questioned the logic of Pakistan’s protest, given that the tournament’s “hybrid model” already ensures Pakistan plays its matches—including the high-voltage clash against India—in Sri Lanka, not India.
“Nonsense! Nonsense! This is absolutely utter nonsense from Pakistan. If you have agreed to a hybrid model before and to play in Sri Lanka, then why create this situation now?” — Irfan Pathan
1. The Conflict: Why is Pakistan Threatening a Boycott?
The controversy ignited following the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in Group C.
- The Refusal: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to tour India for their scheduled group matches, citing security concerns.
- The ICC Ruling: After independent assessments found no credible security threat, the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s demand to move their matches to Sri Lanka. When the BCB stood firm, the ICC replaced them with Scotland (the next-highest-ranked team).
- Pakistan’s Stance: PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi slammed the move as “unfair” to Bangladesh and has sought government guidance on whether Pakistan should participate in “solidarity” with their neighbors.
2. “Decision Day” for the PCB (January 30, 2026)
Today is the first of two deadlines set by the Pakistan government to decide on the team’s participation.
- Travel Status: Despite the boycott talk, the Pakistan squad (led by Salman Ali Agha) has already booked tickets to fly to Colombo on February 2.
- Financial Risk: Industry experts warn that a full withdrawal could cost the PCB approximately $34.5 million in annual ICC revenue shares and lead to severe sanctions.
- Alternative Options: Sources suggest Pakistan might skip the match against India on February 15 in Colombo as a “protest gesture” rather than pulling out of the entire tournament.
3. T20 World Cup 2026: Key Details
The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7, 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
| Metric | Details |
| Total Teams | 20 (divided into 4 groups) |
| Pakistan’s Group | Group A (India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan) |
| Pakistan’s Opener | vs Netherlands (Feb 7, Colombo) |
| The Big Clash | vs India (Feb 15, Colombo) |
| Replacement Team | Scotland (replaces Bangladesh in Group C) |
4. Former Captains Weigh In
Pathan isn’t the only one skeptical of the boycott. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif noted that “the time for a strike has passed,” arguing that the PCB missed its opportunity to protest when the groups were first finalized. Similarly, Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi have reportedly advised Mohsin Naqvi against a boycott, citing the long-term damage to Pakistan cricket’s standing.