LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday said that the final decision regarding Pakistan’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be taken by the federal government.

Naqvi’s comments came in the wake of reports that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India, citing security concerns.

The ICC and BCB had been locked in prolonged negotiations over the issue but failed to reach a resolution. Earlier this week, the ICC formally turned down Bangladesh’s request to shift their fixtures from India to Sri Lanka, maintaining that the tournament schedule would not be altered and issuing what effectively amounted to a final ultimatum.

Following these developments, speculation emerged that Pakistan could also consider withdrawing from the tournament if Bangladesh was forced out.

Addressing the media in Lahore, Naqvi clarified that the PCB would not take a unilateral decision and would instead follow the government’s directive on the matter.

“The prime minister [Shehbaz Sharif] is currently abroad. Once he returns, a final decision will be announced,” Naqvi said when asked about Pakistan’s position after the ICC’s move on Bangladesh.

The PCB chairman strongly criticised the ICC’s handling of the situation, accusing the global governing body of applying double standards and treating Bangladesh unfairly.

“Bangladesh has been dealt with unjustly. I raised this issue during the ICC board meeting as well,” Naqvi said.

“You cannot allow one country to make decisions whenever it wants while denying the same consideration to another,” he added.

Naqvi stressed that, in his view, Bangladesh should be allowed to participate in the World Cup under all circumstances.

“They are an important stakeholder in international cricket, and such injustice should not take place,” he said.

He also hinted at what he described as undue influence over ICC decision-making, warning that Pakistan would not accept any form of pressure or diktat.

“Bangladesh holds the same status as Pakistan within the ICC,” Naqvi said. “If concessions have been made in the past for certain countries, then the same principle should apply here.”

“One country cannot dictate terms to another. If any such attempt is made, Pakistan will adopt a clear and firm stance,” he concluded.