Pakistan postpone T20 World Cup kit launch as participation still up in the air

LAHORE: Pakistan’s much-anticipated kit launch for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was postponed on Saturday, adding to the uncertainty over the team’s participation in next month’s showpiece event.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had planned to unveil the new playing kit after the toss of the second T20I against Australia, but sources within the board said the ceremony was delayed due to “unavoidable reasons”.

With the tournament starting on February 7, Pakistan are scheduled to open their campaign against the Netherlands on the same day.

However, final confirmation of their participation has been deferred, with a PCB announcement expected on Monday.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, speaking earlier this week after meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said a conclusive decision on Pakistan’s participation in the global event would be taken once the government’s position was clear.

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup plans have been thrown into doubt after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland following Dhaka’s refusal to play matches scheduled in India, citing security concerns.

In response, the PCB criticised the ICC’s decision and said it would wait for instructions from the federal government before confirming whether Pakistan would compete.

The situation has cast a shadow over preparations, with questions over whether Pakistan will take the field in India or withdraw in solidarity with Bangladesh.

As of now, the squad stands named but participation is unresolved, leaving fans and pundits debating the likelihood of Pakistan appearing in the tournament proper.

What’s happened and what’s next?

The ICC removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board said it would not send its team to play matches in India because of security concerns. Scotland was named as the replacement.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi publicly criticised that decision as unfair and stressed that Pakistan supports Bangladesh’s stance, arguing that cricket should not be influenced by inconsistent treatment.

Despite naming a 15-man squad for the tournament, PCB officials have repeatedly said Pakistan’s participation is contingent on a final government decision, expected by Monday or early next week.

Pakistan has paused or scaled back preparation activities amid the dispute and is understood to be weighing up whether to attend the tournament in full, or potentially even boycott — though no formal withdrawal has been announced.

The ICC has warned that withdrawing from the T20 World Cup could lead to sanctions, including suspension from bilateral series, denial of foreign No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and exclusion from future major events such as the Asia Cup.

Some former players and commentators have suggested Pakistan could still choose to skip specific matches, especially the marquee Pakistan vs India clash, as a form of protest.

At the moment, official confirmation on Pakistan’s participation remains pending.

The decision is being closely watched by fans and cricket administrators alike as the T20 World Cup approaches.