Pakistan government fears financial loss, hostility amid T20 WC row:Tickets for cricket team booked, Mohsin Naqvi advised to avoid any withdrawal- report

The theatrics from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the potential T20 World Cup have received a jolt as it has been learned that tickets for Pakistan's cricket team have already been booked for their flights to Colombo. Notably, PCB chief and Pakistan interior minister Mohsin Naqvi earlier posted on his X (formerly Twitter) that their government will make a final call on their WC participation by Friday. However, the latest report by Telecom Asia Sport has indicated that Pakistan is advised not to follow suit, and the team is set to fly to Colombo alongside their captain, Salman Ali Agha. Mohsin Naqvi advised to avoid boycotting T20 WC, matches against India It has been learned, as per the same report, that Naqvi met with the Pakistan Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, where the PM backed PCB's stance to support Bangladesh. However, he did not want the PAK team to boycott the tournament, that'll lead to financial repercussions. Moreover, Naqvi is said to have also taken advice from the President, Asif Zardari, alongside the military and former PCB chairpersons, Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja, all of whom wanted to send Pakistan to the tournament. Also Read: ICC to replace Pakistan with Bangladesh in T20 World Cup?: PCB might suffer severe repercussions for shallow threatening calls In addition to it, PCB chief has also been advised against boycotting the group-stage fixture against India as well. Pakistan backed Bangladesh after ICC booted them out The chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, had suggested that they would consider a boycott of the tournament in support of Bangladesh following their replacement in the T20 World Cup 2026. Bangladesh's request to change their venues away from India and to Colombo, citing security concerns, was denied after being outvoted 14-2 in a recent meeting involving the International Cricket Council (ICC) and all the member nations. Naqvi had mentioned that they would consult with the Pakistan government and then make a decision together. Official decision is still awaited from the Pakistan government Considering the meeting that Mohsin Naqvi shared with the Pakistan PM and his message, a final decision is expected to come out by Friday, January 30 or Monday, February 2. Also Read: Bangladesh sends shooting contingent to India after World Cup boycott: BCB refused to send cricket team citing security reasons It is worth noting that Pakistan are set to face Australia in a three-match T20I series beginning on Thursday, and the team management has been told to ensure that they remain prepared for the tournament altogether. Moreover, if the tickets and logistical decisions have already been taken, the pull-out is highly unlikely, considering the tight schedule the team is on.