Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha (Image credit: ACC) NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has weighed in heavily on the uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026, saying the window for decisive action has already closed even as the Pakistan Cricket Board awaits clearance from the government.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss Pakistan’s position after the International Cricket Council withdrew Bangladesh as hosts.
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While Naqvi indicated that a final decision is still awaited, the board has already scheduled the team to leave for Colombo on February 2, a move that virtually rules out a boycott of the tournament or the high-profile clash with India on February 15. A formal confirmation of participation is expected from the PCB.Speculation was rife in sections of the media that Pakistan might withdraw from the tournament or refuse to face India. Pakistan has publicly expressed solidarity with Bangladesh and reports suggest that there have been internal discussions about boycotting the event or specifically the match in India.However, Latif believes that Pakistan has moved too slowly. While he acknowledges that the final decision rests with the government, he feels that the opportunity to make a meaningful statement has passed. Although pulling out of the tournament altogether may now be difficult, Latif claimed that Pakistan could still choose not to play India even if the two sides met in the final.“If the government says we will not play against India, the ICC will have to accept it,” Latif said. “If not, that’s where the real confrontation begins.”When asked what would happen if India and Pakistan qualified for the finals, Latif replied bluntly: “Nahi khelenge” (we don’t play).Latif claimed that Pakistan should have withdrawn immediately after the decision was taken to move the tournament from Bangladesh. On YouTube channel CaughtBehind, he said: “The time to strike has passed. Every decision has its timing. You should strike while the iron is hot. It happened last week at the ICC meeting.”He added: “We showed our support. We voted for them. This chapter is over. If we boycott now, it won’t have the same impact.”Chairman Naqvi said a final decision on Pakistan’s participation in the 2026 FIFA T20 World Cup would be confirmed either this Friday or next Monday, but Latif’s remarks underlined growing frustration at what he sees as a delayed and watered-down response.
