The swirling uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has generated an unusually noisy reaction across the global cricket community, with voices ranging from serious critique to outright mockery. As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) weighs its response following Bangladesh’s withdrawal and replacement by Scotland, the sport’s social media channels, former players and even amateur cricket bodies have weighed in — revealing how tense and unpredictable the build-up to the tournament has become.
At the centre of the drama is ongoing speculation about whether Pakistan might take a stand in solidarity with Bangladesh by boycotting parts of the T20 World Cup, or even forfeiting key matches — particularly against India — in protest of the ICC’s refusal to shift Bangladesh’s scheduled fixtures out of India. Pakistan’s PCB leadership has publicly discussed the matter with national officials, with decisions reportedly being deferred pending final government guidance.
That uncertainty has opened space for commentary and critique from former cricketers and pundits outside Pakistan. Ajinkya Rahane, the former India international, bluntly dismissed the idea of Pakistan withdrawing at all, saying he did not believe the Pakistan team had “the guts” to follow through on boycott threats and predicted they would ultimately compete in the tournament. Additionally, former Pakistan players and officials have themselves cautioned against a boycott on cricketing or diplomatic grounds, warning that withdrawing could harm Pakistan’s standing within the ICC and relationships with other cricket boards.
Amid these high-stakes discussions, social media has provided a stage for responses both serious and surreal. One of the quirkier reactions came from Iceland Cricket, an amateur cricket association known for its tongue-in-cheek social posts. Initially, Iceland jokingly offered to “take off” and replace Pakistan in the World Cup if they pulled out at the last minute — complete with humorous references to logistics and an “insomniac” opener ready for action.
That viral post caught widespread attention online and was followed up by a similarly humorous disclaimer in which Iceland reversed course, saying they would not actually be able to step in due to preparation time and amateur commitments, while still poking fun at the whole situation. This ongoing ribbing has even sparked other amateur teams — including Uganda Cricket — to make light-hearted overtures that they, too, are “ready” to fill any World Cup vacancies, adding to the spectacle around Pakistan’s indecision.
Among cricket fans and commentators on Reddit and X, the reactions ranged from frustration and ridicule to genuine concern. Many users pointed out that ongoing boycott talk has overshadowed preparations, and some joked that Iceland or Uganda could step in — underscoring a sense that the situation has become something of a bizarre sideshow ahead of one of the sport’s flagship events.
Some fans have also taken a more political view, arguing that sporting decisions should not be used as diplomatic tools, while others believe Pakistan’s expressions of solidarity with Bangladesh are understandable but poorly executed. These varied voices reflect a broader unease that the drama could undermine key rivalries, fan engagement and commercial value — especially if marquee matches such as India vs Pakistan become compromised.
12BET Shortlisted for Sportsbook Operator of the Year at SBC Awards 2025