The ICC T20 World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to begin on February 7th. Following Bangladesh's exclusion from the tournament, attention has now shifted to Pakistan. Pakistan, which is protesting the action taken against Bangladesh, has threatened to boycott the event. The Pakistan Cricket Board
Now, discussions have begun about whether Pakistan will actually boycott the tournament. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has already warned Pakistan about the consequences of such a move. Despite this, if Pakistan takes this step, it could prove very costly. The PCB, which is already facing financial difficulties, could be completely ruined by such a decision.
What would be the consequences if Pakistan boycott the T20 World Cup 2026?
1. ICC could ban Pakistan
If the Pakistan Cricket Board boycotts the 2026 T20 World Cup at the behest of its government, the ICC could declare it political interference. In such a scenario, the ICC could impose various sanctions on the PCB. These sanctions could include.
Ban on hosting ICC events: The ICC has awarded Pakistan the hosting rights for the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup, which the ICC can revoke. Furthermore, Pakistan will not be allowed to host any other ICC events in the future.
Global Cricket Ban: The ICC could impose a global cricket ban on the PCB. This would prevent Pakistan from participating in any tournaments or playing bilateral series against any country. South Africa also faced a similar ban for four decades. Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have also faced such bans for shorter periods.
2. They will be accused of violating the participation agreement
A Tournament Participation Agreement (TPA) is signed between the ICC and all full member nations participating in ICC tournaments. If the PCB withdraws from the tournament at the last minute, the ICC can take legal action against them for breaching this agreement.
3. ICC will put a stop to the multi-billion dollar revenue sharing
The ICC distributes a portion of its annual revenue to all member countries. Pakistan also receives approximately 6% of the ICC's total revenue, which is expected to be around ₹316 crore this year. In addition, Pakistan was supposed to receive $5 million (approximately ₹46 crore) from the ICC for preparing for and participating in the T20 World Cup, which it will now not receive due to the boycott. Furthermore, Pakistan was also expected to receive $2 million (approximately ₹18 crore) in prize money and other revenue related to matches in the tournament, which it will now also miss out on.
4. NOCs for players participating in the PSL may be banned
The ICC has already warned the PCB that it could ban foreign players from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by withholding their No-Objection Certificates (NOCs). The ICC would have the support of cricket boards from countries like Australia, West Indies, New Zealand, South Africa, and England in this matter. The PSL is the biggest source of revenue for the PCB, and the presence of foreign cricketers is what makes the league attractive. If the ICC and other national cricket boards ban foreign players from participating, the Pakistan Super League would be completely ruined. This would result in significant financial losses for Pakistan.
5. Pakistan will become isolated in world cricket
If Pakistan boycotts the T20 World Cup in 2026, it could face retaliatory boycotts from the ICC. This would completely isolate Pakistan from world cricket. No other country would play cricket in Pakistan without ICC approval. This would make it impossible for them to generate revenue, and ultimately, Pakistani cricket would collapse.
Also Read: Why Haris Rauf dropped from Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 squad?
Disclaimer
Possible11 is a sports news and analysis platform designed purely for entertainment and educational purposes. All match previews, player insights, and team analyses are based on publicly available information and expert opinions. We do not promote or support betting, gambling, or real-money gaming in any form. Users are encouraged to enjoy our content responsibly and use it for informational purposes only.
Give Your Feedback