Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi insisted that Pakistan did nothing for itself while taking a stand during the T20 World Cup 2026 boycott row, even as reports emerged that the ICC had rejected multiple demands raised by the PCB. His comments came minutes before Pakistan officially confirmed a U-turn on its decision to boycott the India clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
Pakistan had initially refused to play India in the T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were removed from the tournament after declining to play matches in India due to security concerns. The PCB framed its stance as a protest against what it described as “double standards” by the ICC. However, diplomatic engagement involving the ICC, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and the Pakistan government followed, with pressure to ensure the India-Pakistan fixture went ahead due to its commercial and sporting significance.
Speaking to reporters shortly before the boycott was officially lifted, Naqvi claimed Pakistan’s position was solely aimed at supporting Bangladesh. “Hamne apne liye kuch nahi kiya,” Naqvi said, stressing that Pakistan had not sought any concessions for itself. He cited a request from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam, who urged Pakistan to play the match after Bangladesh’s issues were resolved through ICC-mediated talks.
However, Naqvi’s public claims contradicted reports from earlier in the day, which suggested that Pakistan had raised additional demands during meetings with ICC officials. According to media reports, the PCB sought the resumption of bilateral cricket with India. It even proposed a tri-series involving India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—both of which were rejected by the ICC because such matters fall outside its jurisdiction.
Naqvi is also believed to have raised the controversial Asia Cup trophy incident during his meeting with ICC vice-chairman Imran Khwaja in Lahore. The row dates back to September, when India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi due to his dual role as Pakistan’s Interior Minister amid heightened political tensions. Naqvi reportedly questioned whether the ICC would have remained silent had Pakistan refused to accept a trophy from an Indian official.
The ICC confirmed that Bangladesh would not face any penalty for its withdrawal and later awarded the BCB additional hosting rights in the 2028–2031 cycle. Following this, Bangladesh formally thanked Pakistan for its support and requested the PCB to participate in the February 15 fixture. Soon after, the Pakistan government announced it had directed the national team to take the field, citing appeals from “friendly countries” and the need to protect the spirit of cricket.
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