The controversy around the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 is getting bigger with every passing day, and former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has once again added fuel to the fire. This time, Latif has openly asked Pakistan to pull out of the tournament after Bangladesh’s controversial ouster.
Rashid Latif calls for Pakistan’s exit after Bangladesh’s shock removal
After the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, Latif said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must follow the BCB, as without Pakistan, the T20 World Cup 2026 will lose its real meaning.
Rashid Latif said on the YouTube channel ‘Caught Behind’: “If Pakistan doesn’t go, everything will be toppled. It won’t remain a World Cup. There can be matches like Australia versus India, but the World Cup level will be destroyed. The World Cup will be finished.”
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Latif warns T20 World Cup will lose meaning without Pakistan
Scotland officially replaced Bangladesh in Group C and will be playing alongside England, Italy, Nepal, and the West Indies in the upcoming tournament after the ICC removed the Asian country due to their unwarranted demand of not playing in India due to security concerns.
Following the shocking call, Latif predicted that the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, can drop a bombshell anytime, having recently said that Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 depends on the government’s approval.
The former Pakistani player added, “From today’s press conference, it looked like they are walking on that path. When he says he will speak to the government, I feel that conversation has already happened. This is just about extending the episode.”
Latif praises Bangladesh’s firm stand, urges Pakistan to stop the confusion
Latif also praised Bangladesh for taking a strong and clear stand by refusing to play in India. He said Bangladesh showed honesty and clarity by putting their country first and not changing their position. He feels Pakistan should now stop sending confusing signals.
He said, “By sticking to their position, Bangladesh has shown they are clean and clear, keeping their country in mind. Now for Pakistan, it’s time to stop talking and take action.”
He also spoke about politics and cricket being mixed together. Latif claimed that Indian cricket is heavily influenced by the country’s ruling party, BJP, which unsettled the balance of world cricket.
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Without Pakistan, the T20 World Cup 2026 will feel like IPL: Rashid Latif
One of Latif’s biggest points was about fan interest, saying the India-Pakistan match is the biggest attraction in world cricket and a huge number of fans watch the World Cup mainly for this rivalry. If Pakistan is not there, the tournament will lose a big part of its charm. He stressed, “At least 50 percent of people want to watch India versus Pakistan. That interest will die down.”
Bangladesh alone can be punished, but if Pakistan also pulls out, the ICC will be forced to come to the table and talk. Otherwise, he feels the World Cup will look more like the IPL rather than a global event. The former Pakistan cricketer added, “If Pakistan also joins Bangladesh, then things will come to the bargaining table. If Bangladesh is alone, they will face sanctions. But if Pakistan pulls out too, it won’t be a World Cup—it will just be the IPL.”
Latif mocks World Cup future
Latif also pointed out how important the Indian market is for world cricket money. He said broadcasting and revenue depend heavily on India. To make his point clearer, he gave a sarcastic example, asking people to imagine India playing a small team like Uganda in a packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and calling it a World Cup match.
Latif signed off by saying, “If Pakistan pulls out, the news will go worldwide. Just imagine if Uganda replaces Pakistan—India playing Uganda in Ahmedabad to a full house.”