Team Goemkarponn
New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by Mohsin Naqvi, has stirred controversy ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, raising concerns over its participation in the tournament. Reports suggest that the board has threatened to withdraw from the ICC event, particularly following Bangladesh’s ejection, leaving uncertainty over Pakistan’s involvement. While the PCB has announced a 15-member squad for the World Cup, the team is reportedly awaiting further instructions from Naqvi before confirming its plans.
Amid the controversy, former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has voiced strong criticism of the increasing influence of politics in cricket. Mushtaq warned that political interference is harming both the sport and society at large, emphasizing that cricket’s primary role is to bring people together rather than deepen divisions between nations. “Politics should be eradicated as it is detrimental to humanity. It’s not just harming cricket, but humanity as a whole,” he said.
Mushtaq also expressed disappointment over the prolonged hiatus in India-Pakistan bilateral cricket, noting that the teams have not faced each other since Pakistan’s limited-overs tour of India in 2012–13. Since then, encounters have been limited to ICC and continental events, including the Asia Cup, World Cups, and Champions Trophy. “Politics has become the biggest obstacle to the game’s spirit. Cricket is meant to unite nations, not drive them apart,” he said, stressing that the sport should remain a source of entertainment rather than a platform for political conflict.
Regarding Bangladesh’s recent ejection from the tournament, Mushtaq declined to comment, reiterating that sports and politics must remain separate. “I don’t want to comment on Bangladesh’s decision because I’ve already made my stance clear. I don’t believe in mixing politics with sports,” he added, underlining the need to preserve cricket’s integrity and spirit.
