Naqvi’s Double Standards in T20 WC India Boycott Appeal

February 10, 2026

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi reportedly asked Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam to formally appeal to Pakistan to end its boycott of the *India fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This came amid intense negotiations after Pakistan initially threatened not to play India in the February 15 match, framing it as solidarity with Bangladesh’s refusal to tour India over security concerns.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said “ Neither I am afraid of India’s threats nor the Pakistan government is. And you know the Field Marshal too” 🇵🇰🔥 pic.twitter.com/v5kUQWheti

— KHURUM ABBAS (@KHURUM455) February 9, 2026

 Naqvi’s Role & “Double Standards” Charge

Naqvi’s stance highlighted what critics described as double standards: publicly supporting Bangladesh while privately seeking its help to convince Pakistan to reverse the India boycott. He engaged in talks involving the International Cricket Council (ICC) and BCB to find a resolution and insisted final decisions would be made soon, involving Pakistan’s government.

 Bangladesh Appeal & Outcome

BCB President Aminul Islam visited Pakistan and, after discussions, formally requested Pakistan to play the scheduled T20 World Cup game against India, saying it would benefit the global cricket ecosystem. This appeal was seen as crucial in breaking the deadlock.

 Broader Context

The earlier boycott threat stemmed from Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland in the tournament after refusing to travel to India over security concerns a decision made by the ICC that triggered regional tensions. Talks involving ICC officials, PCB, and BCB aimed to preserve the marquee India–Pakistan match given its sporting and commercial importance.