NEW DELHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi has given fresh comments on the recent Bangladesh pullout from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, calling it unfair.
Now, it is official that Scotland will be replacing Bangladesh after weeks of discussion and a tussle between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
It’s official! ICC replaces Bangladesh with Scotland in T20 World Cup 2026
Bangladesh treated unfairly, said Naqvi
Speaking to the media, Naqvi expressed his strong disagreement with the ICC’s handling of the situation, saying Bangladesh was treated unfairly and that there appears to be a double standard in how decisions are made.
“Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. I said the same in the board meeting of the ICC. You cannot have double standards, where one country can make whatever decision whenever and do the total opposite for another country."
He further clarified that Pakistan and the ACC are standing by Bangladesh, stressing that as a major cricketing stakeholder, they should have been allowed to participate in the World Cup, and that denying them this opportunity is an injustice.
“We are waiting for the prime minister to return,” he said, adding that a final decision regarding a potential Pakistan boycott would be taken then.
Dispute between ICC and BCB
The controversy began after Bangladesh released Mustafizur Rahman following a dispute during the IPL. This led the BCB to refuse travel to India, citing security concerns, and requesting a change of venue to Sri Lanka.
The ICC, however, stated that a venue change was not feasible due to logistical constraints. After repeated discussions and missed deadlines, Bangladesh officially pulled out of the tournament, and Scotland has now stepped in to take their place in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.
