Reports: ICC warns PCB of sanctions, Asia Cup exclusion over Mohsin Naqvi’s Bangladesh stand

The International Cricket Council has reportedly issued a warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board, threatening sanctions that could include exclusion from the Asia Cup, following PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s support for Bangladesh after their removal from the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Naqvi’s criticism of the ICC’s decision and his comments questioning Pakistan’s own participation have escalated the matter between the global body and the PCB.

Bangladesh was officially removed from the T20 World Cup after refusing to play their scheduled matches in India, citing security concerns. Despite repeated discussions, the ICC rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request to relocate fixtures and ultimately replaced them with Scotland. Notably, Pakistan was the only board to openly back Bangladesh during ICC meetings, with Naqvi calling the decision an injustice and accusing the ICC of applying double standards. He described Bangladesh as a big stakeholder in cricket and questioned why the venue flexibility shown in past cases was not given this time.

According to an Indian Express report, Naqvi’s stance has not gone down well with the ICC. Sources have indicated that the global body has warned Pakistan of serious consequences if it follows Bangladesh’s route and opts out of the marquee event. The potential sanctions include suspension of all bilateral series, denial of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and, most notably, exclusion from the Asia Cup.

There has been injustice with Bangladesh: Naqvi

The situation increased after Naqvi stated that Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup is no longer a purely cricketing decision. He confirmed that the final call would be taken by the Pakistan government.

"I will follow the instructions of the government of Pakistan. The Prime Minister is not in Pakistan at the moment. We will give you a final decision when he returns. We are more under the Government of Pakistan than the ICC, so we have to do what the government of Pakistan says. Look, if the government of Pakistan says that they don't want to play, then they [the ICC] can bring the 22nd team. But this decision has to be taken by the government of Pakistan. This is what the government of Pakistan has to say, whether they make a final decision," Naqvi told the media in Lahore.

Naqvi also questioned the ICC’s governance, alleging selective decision-making and undue influence by certain member nations. He pointed out that hybrid or neutral venue models had previously been approved when required, and revealed that Bangladesh deserved similar consideration. 

"I think there has been injustice with Bangladesh, and I said the same in the ICC board meeting [on January 21]. You can't have double standards. You can't say that for one country you can make a decision whenever you want, and for another country you can make a totally opposite decision. That's why we have taken this stand - there is injustice with Bangladesh."