Despite growing speculation about a possible Pakistan boycott of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka and India from February 7 to March 8, fresh reports suggest that preparations on the ground are quietly progressing. According to multiple sources, the Pakistan team has already booked its travel to Colombo, indicating that participation in the marquee tournament remains the most likely outcome.
“Despite the uncertainty over participation in the World Cup, the Pakistan team is booked with the Australian team to fly to Colombo via an Air Lanka flight from Lahore,” sources were quoted as saying by Telecom Asia Sport. The development comes at a time when Australia are in Lahore for a three-match T20I series, with the final game set for February 1, after which both squads are expected to travel together.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB president Mohsin Naqvi had raised serious concerns over Pakistan’s involvement, accusing the International Cricket Council of applying “double standards” and claiming Bangladesh had been treated “unfairly” after being excluded from the tournament. Those remarks triggered widespread debate and uncertainty around Pakistan’s stance.
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Naqvi reportedly met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week and informed him that a final decision would be made either tomorrow or early next week. While the prime minister supported Pakistan’s diplomatic position in backing Bangladesh, he is understood to have advised against a complete boycott of the World Cup.
🚨 Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Controversy Latest Update 🇵🇰🏏
PCB has booked travel tickets to Sri Lanka despite earlier pull-out threats.
Chairman Mohsin Naqvi says the final decision will be announced today or Monday after PM Shehbaz Sharif meeting.#PakVsIndia #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/JEE1H6VGND— Abdul Rehman (@rehmanpowerplay) January 30, 2026
“Naqvi also took advice from President Asif Zardari and the military establishment before meeting former PCB chiefs Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja,” the report added. Both former PCB heads are believed to have backed Pakistan’s participation in Sri Lanka and “also advised not to boycott the India game”.
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Pakistan are scheduled to play all their group matches in Sri Lanka, including the highly anticipated clash against India on February 15 in Colombo, a fixture that remains central to the tournament’s narrative.
