The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to decide by early next week whether to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to discuss participation. This follows Bangladesh's withdrawal and the ICC's decision to replace them with Scotland. The final decision will be made after considering all options.

The situation stems from rising tensions between Pakistan and India. Bangladesh requested a venue switch, citing safety concerns, which the ICC denied. Pakistan supported Bangladesh's position. Political issues have limited cricket matches between the two nations, adding further complexity. The T20 World Cup is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The ICC cited a lack of credible security threats to justify rejecting Bangladesh's request. India and Pakistan are scheduled to play in Colombo on February 15th. This match, and Pakistan's participation, now hangs in the balance. The decision carries major implications for the tournament's structure and the future of India-Pakistan cricket relations.

Pakistan won the T20 World Cup in 2009. A boycott would be a significant blow to the tournament. What's next? The cricketing world awaits the PCB's final call, which will shape the tournament's landscape. Further, it will influence the future of the India-Pakistan rivalry in the sport.