Uncertainty continues to cloud Pakistan’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The situation escalated after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to travel to India citing security concerns, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reassess its stance. The PCB has maintained that the final call on participation will be taken by the Pakistan government, not the board alone.

Multiple reports suggest that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to confirm Pakistan’s participation by Friday. Notably, Pakistan have already announced their 15-member squad for the tournament, which begins on February 7, indicating that preparations on the cricketing front are well underway despite the political uncertainty.

Amid the debate, India batter Ajinkya Rahane weighed in with a blunt assessment, dismissing the possibility of a Pakistan boycott. “I don’t think they will do it. They don’t have the guts,” Ajinkya Rahane said while speaking on Cricbuzz. His remark has sparked discussion, but the broader consensus remains that a withdrawal would come at a heavy financial and sporting cost for Pakistan.

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Further reinforcing expectations of participation, a report has claimed that members of the Pakistan team are scheduled to travel to Colombo alongside the Australian squad. Australia are currently touring Pakistan for a T20I series, and logistical arrangements appear to already be in place.

“Despite the uncertainty over the participation in the World Cup, the Pakistan team is booked with the Australia team to fly out to Colombo via an Air Lanka flight from Lahore,” Telecom Asia Sport quoted sources as saying. The report added, “We hope that by Friday the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi will have cleared the team’s participation in the mega event.”

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Naqvi has reportedly consulted widely before reaching a decision. He met Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and also sought advice from President Asif Zardari and the country’s military establishment. According to sources, former PCB chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja have also backed sending the team to Sri Lanka and advised against boycotting the high-profile India match.

All signs now point toward Pakistan taking part, with clarity expected imminently.