Report: Pakistan Book Flights to Colombo Despite T20 World Cup 2026 Boycott Talk

Pakistan's public posturing around a possible boycott of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 appears to be colliding with logistical and financial realities, with a report claiming that flight tickets have already been booked for the team to travel to Colombo.

According to Telecom Asia Sport, Pakistan's squad-led by Salman Ali Agha-is scheduled to fly to Sri Lanka alongside Australia, suggesting that tournament preparations are quietly moving ahead despite the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) publicly weighing its stance.

The report adds that senior voices within and around the PCB have advised strongly against any withdrawal, warning that a boycott would result in major financial losses and further isolate Pakistan within global cricket governance.

Pakistan T20 squad mood shift

The uncertainty stems from Bangladesh's withdrawal from the tournament after its request to relocate matches from India to Sri Lanka-citing security concerns-was rejected in an ICC members' vote, reported to have passed 14-2. Following the decision, Bangladesh were removed from the competition and replaced by Scotland.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had earlier floated the idea of Pakistan boycotting the event "in support of Bangladesh". However, the report suggests that the internal mood has since shifted decisively towards participation rather than protest.

Naqvi is understood to have discussed the issue with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who reportedly supported symbolic backing for Bangladesh but did not favour an actual boycott, mindful of the financial and diplomatic consequences of missing a major ICC event. The report further claims Naqvi also consulted President Asif Ali Zardari, senior military officials, and former PCB chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja, with a broad consensus emerging against withdrawal.

One key detail in the report is that Pakistan has also been advised not to forfeit its high-profile group-stage fixture against India, even if the board maintains a hard public line. The distinction, according to the report, lies between political messaging and cricketing participation.

As of now, the PCB has made no formal announcement confirming travel plans or its final position on the tournament. While ticket bookings alone do not guarantee participation, they underline how complicated and costly a late pull-out would become once travel schedules, hotel

arrangements, and broadcast commitments are locked in.

A final decision is expected either on Friday, January 30, or early next month. Pakistan, meanwhile, begins a three-match T20I series against Australia this week, leaving the board little room to prolong uncertainty as the World Cup build-up gathers pace.