Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is set to meet members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad to address growing concerns over the team’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament. Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal, however, insisted that Pakistan must feature in the event.Questions over Pakistan’s participation emerged during the squad announcement press conference on Sunday when chief selector Aaqib Javed was asked about the team’s chances of playing in the tournament. “As players and management, we are preparing for the World Cup, and it is up to the PCB and government to take a final call,” he told reporters.

Pakistan’s participation now hinges on government clearance, PCB chairman Naqvi said on Saturday, reacting to Bangladesh’s ouster after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected their request to relocate matches from India citing security concerns.Sharing his views, Akmal stressed the importance of Pakistan taking part in the global event. “World Cup me participate karna ya na karna government decide karegi, lekin as a cricketer main chahta hoon ki har team khele — Bangladesh bhi khele — kyunki ICC events me excitement hoti hai, players aur teams sab jeetne ke liye aate hain. Jahaan tak Pakistan ka sawal hai, PCB aur government jo bhi decision legi, soch-samajh kar legi. Cricket me politics nahi aani chahiye. Pehle aisa kam hota tha, ab teams ko travel se pehle governments se poochna padta hai. Pakistan ki awaam wahi chahegi jo government decide kare. Ab tak government ne kahin jaane se mana nahi kiya. Team announce ho chuki hai, isliye mujhe nahi lagta koi bada doubt hai. Neutral venues par matches ho rahe hain, isliye logical reason nahi dikhta ki Pakistan na khele,” Akmal said.He also highlighted the wider impact of any potential withdrawal. “Agar ICC sanctions ki baat kare, to ye sab baad me clear hoga. Bangladesh ka World Cup na khelna unfortunate hota, aur agar Pakistan bhi aisa karta hai to Pakistan cricket ko bhi nuksaan hota. Cricket ka loss hota hai, fans ka loss hota hai. ICC India aur Pakistan ke bina tournament nahi karwa sakti, kyunki revenue largely inhi teams se aata hai,” the former cricketer said on Shaziya Abbas’ YouTube channel.Addressing security concerns, Akmal added: “Security ka mudda bhi hota hai, lekin jab Pakistan team 2023 me India aayi thi World Cup ke liye, unko full security mili thi, Babar ne khud bola tha ki bahut pyaar mila. Aise statements jo panic create karte hain, wo achhe nahi hote — unko control karna government ka kaam hai.”Akmal also tipped India as favourites to lift the T20 World Cup title, saying that on paper the defending champions look solid and capable of retaining the trophy. India won the 2024 T20 World Cup after beating South Africa in a pulsating final.“Overall, trophy India jeet sakti hai, lekin cricket me kuch bhi ho sakta hai,” he said.