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Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha believes that playing all their matches in Colombo during the 2026 T20 World Cup offers a clear advantage. However, he also underlined that comfort alone will not win them
the title but only good cricket can.
Pakistan will play their entire campaign in Colombo, across R Premadasa Stadium and the Sinhalese Sports Club ground. The arrangement follows the hybrid model agreed upon by India, Pakistan and the ICC, under which matches involving either country in ICC events hosted by the other will be held at neutral venues until 2027.
The model was earlier used during the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, where India played all their matches in Dubai and went on to lift the title. Agha pointed to that example while keeping expectations realistic.
“Yes, it is an advantage,” Agha said while addressing the media after Pakistan announced their T20 World Cup squad. “Other teams will travel more, change hotels and play at different venues. We will stay at the same hotel throughout. But that alone does not win you matches.”
Agha added that India won the Champions Trophy not because of logistics, but because of their performances on the field.
“They played good cricket, and that is why they won. We will also have to play good cricket. Otherwise, the advantage means nothing,” he said.
Although Pakistan announced their squad for the mega ICC event, their participation in the tournament is still not confirmed. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said the final call will be taken by the Pakistan government.
Meanwhile, Aaqib Javed, PCB’s Director of High Performance and part of the selection panel, reiterated that the board is waiting for official clearance.
“Our job is to pick the team, and we have done that within the deadline,” Javed said. “The decision to travel is not in our hands. The government will decide.”
The situation has gained urgency after the ICC reportedly dropped Bangladesh from the tournament due to their refusal to travel to India. If Pakistan also pulls out, the ICC could impose serious sanctions, including suspension from bilateral cricket, restrictions on PSL NOCs, and exclusion from the Asia Cup.
