Pakistan have halted all T20 World Cup preparations ahead of the February tournament after the PCB reacted to uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh, with the decision confirmed this week and the spotlight firmly on South Asia.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi ordered an immediate pause on all World Cup-related activity. The board want clarity first, cricket later, and the message landed firmly at national team level.
Sources say the PCB will brief team management later on next steps. They have also demanded a parallel plan that outlines options if Pakistan do not take part in the World Cup at all.
The move stems from Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India for the tournament. Pakistan have backed that stance fully and labelled Bangladesh’s security concerns as logical and deserving, a strong line that carries political as well as sporting weight.
That support comes with consequences. Sources warn that if the Bangladesh issue drags on unresolved, Pakistan could reassess their own participation in the World Cup.
This stance threatens to shake the tournament itself. India and Sri Lanka plan to co-host the event, with the World Cup scheduled to start on February 7.
Analysts believe a united front from Bangladesh and Pakistan would corner the ICC. Either the governing body finds compromise fast, or international cricket stumbles into another diplomatic and sporting crisis before a ball gets bowled.
