(Image source from: Hindustantimes.com)

The cricket world is anxious as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) considers a complete boycott of the T20 World Cup in 2026. This situation arose because Pakistan wants to show support for Bangladesh after the ICC replaced the Tigers with Scotland when they chose not to travel to India. On Monday, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss this issue, but they have decided to wait until at least the end of the week to make a choice. Nevertheless, beneath the political discussions, there is a serious issue at hand. For Pakistan, a boycott is not just a form of protest; it could lead to significant trouble for them. Mohsin Naqvi has repeatedly stated that the country's government holds the ultimate authority regarding the team’s participation in the T20 World Cup. Although selectors have announced Pakistan's 15-player squad for the tournament, the management has clarified that they are still awaiting government approval. The final announcement on this matter will be made public within the next week, but there are several reasons that make it very unlikely for Pakistan to withdraw from the World Cup:

Violation of Participation Agreement: Each Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) signs an agreement regarding participation in tournaments well in advance of any major event. If Pakistan decides to withdraw at the last moment, they would be breaking this legally binding agreement. The ICC has already indicated that such a violation would mean that Pakistan's annual share of revenue, estimated at 34.5 million USD (around 316 crore Rs.), would be withheld. Given the fragile state of the economy, losing almost 6% of the total ICC revenue could put the PCB in a financially devastating position from which they might not recover.

ICC Penalties: The ICC has strict rules against "political interference. " If the boycott appears to be solely motivated by government influence, the ICC might perceive it as an effort to misuse sports for political purposes. The possible penalties that could arise include:

Suspension from International Cricket: Similar to what has occurred with Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in previous years.

Exclusion from the Asia Cup: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) often reflects the positions of the ICC. A boycott could result in Pakistan losing its place in the upcoming Asia Cups, even with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi leading the continental organization.

Loss of Hosting Rights: Pakistan is set to hold important events such as the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup. If there is a boycott, these hosting rights would likely be taken away.

The PSL Crisis: The "NoC" Hammer: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is the top T20 league in Pakistan's domestic cricket scene. However, it relies heavily on international players joining in. If Pakistan decides to boycott an international event, the ICC and other cricket boards (like Cricket Australia and the ECB) might respond by not issuing No Objection Certificates (NoCs) for their players to take part in the PSL, based on the global organization's directives.

Total Isolation and Bilateral Fallout: The cricket economy operates on a system of bilateral agreements. By interrupting a World Cup, which is the ICC's main revenue stream, Pakistan risks pushing away the very boards it needs for support. Without home matches from key countries, the PCB would lose its main source of independent revenue.

Showing support for Bangladesh is one thing, but pulling out of an ICC event entirely would only lead to harmful consequences for Pakistan.