Pakistan players to BACKSTAB Mohsin Naqvi? Cricketers’ reaction to T20 World Cup boycott threat revealed

Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Mohsin Naqvi has once again stepped up and hindered the smooth entry into the ICC T20 World Cup. The PCB Chief has informed the Pakistan players and head coach that they are still awaiting the decision made by the Pakistan government to finalise their World Cup plans.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has finally announced their 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. Yesterday, in a press release, head coach Mike Hesson, National selection board member Aaqib Javed and Captain Salman Agha revealed the squad and answered all queries related to it.

Mike Hesson explained the importance of Babar Azam and a swap in his role, while he also reasoned on the snub of bowlers like Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr. However, Javed had cleared it then that announcing the team does not necessarily show any form of commitment towards a World Cup participation.

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Mohsin Naqvi would abide by government orders on World Cup participation

After the 15-member squad was announced by Pakistan, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi immediately met head coach Mike Hesson and all the designated Pakistan players and had a long meeting with them, explaining their standpoint on the ICC World Cup issue.

The message from the top tier of Pakistan was constant: that Pakistan's participation remains subject to the government's decision. According to the PCB release, Mohsin Naqvi briefed his players and the coach on the broader scenario surrounding the ICC replacing Bangladesh with Scotland after the BCB boycotted the tournament following their decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns.

During the meeting, the Pakistan players threw their weight behind the board's position. "We stand with you on whatever decision you and the government take," the players told Naqvi, backing the possibility of a boycott if advised by Islamabad.

Mohsin Naqvi rules out team announcement as a green signal for T20 WC

Mohsin Naqvi has been stubborn on several previous occasions against the ICC's decisions. They simply have no grounds to boycott the World Cup, with their matches already scheduled in Sri Lanka due to the treaty signed between them and the BCCI under the ICC's supervision.

Naqvi has now dismissed the announcement of the team, which indicates any kind of confirmation on the ICC T20 World Cup participation, and hence, they might withdraw from the competition if their government asks them to do so.

"We are waiting for the government's advice, and whatever the government tells us to do, we will do it," he told the players, as quoted by NDTV.

"If they don't want us to go for the World Cup, we will follow it," Mohsin Naqvi concluded.

Pakistan Selector backed Pakistan to win the T20 World Cup 2026

After having announced the team, Aaqib Javed threw his weight behind this Pakistan side led by Salman Agha. He believed that Pakistan would not only play in the World Cup but also play well and go on to win the World Cup.

Pakistan were knocked out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 group-stage games after losses to India and the minnows USA. However, with a new coach and a new captain, the PCB has placed high expectations on the side for the upcoming T20I series against Australia and the T20 World Cup as well.

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