PCB Furious Over ICC T20 World Cup Promotion Snub in 2026
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly expressed strong displeasure with the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the exclusion of Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, from the official promotional poster released ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The controversy surfaced after the ICC unveiled a poster to kickstart ticket sales for the tournament, featuring captains from select nations while omitting Pakistan’s skipper. So let’s have a look about PCB furious over ICC T20 World Cup promotion.
According to a report by News18, senior PCB officials have already raised the matter with the ICC, seeking clarity over why Pakistan’s captain was not included in the campaign despite the team being one of the participating nations in the marquee event.
ICC Poster Features Select Team Captains
The promotional artwork, shared on the ICC’s official social media platforms on December 11, showcased the captains of India, Australia, England, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. The poster was released shortly before ticket sales went live later the same evening.
The absence of Salman Ali Agha from the visual promotion reportedly irked PCB officials, who believe such marketing initiatives should fairly represent all competing teams, especially a former world champion like Pakistan.
PCB Raises Concern Over Repeated Exclusion
This is not the first instance where Pakistan has felt sidelined in ICC or broadcaster-led promotions. During the Asia Cup 2025, similar concerns were raised when Pakistan’s captain was missing from the tournament’s promotional material.
“We faced a similar issue during the Asia Cup a few months ago when promotional campaigns were launched without featuring our captain,” a PCB source was quoted as saying. “Unfortunately, we are seeing a repeat of that situation now.”
The board reportedly views this as a matter affecting Pakistan’s visibility and representation on the global cricketing stage.
Rankings May Have Influenced ICC’s Decision
One possible explanation for the omission, as suggested by sources, could be Pakistan’s current standing outside the top five in the ICC T20I rankings. This factor may have influenced the ICC’s choice to highlight teams perceived as higher-ranked or more commercially prominent.
However, the PCB feels rankings should not dictate promotional fairness, especially when all teams are part of the tournament.
PCB Hopeful of Resolution Before Tournament Begins
Despite its frustration, the PCB remains optimistic that the ICC will address the issue promptly. Officials believe the governing body will amend the promotional material to ensure Pakistan receives appropriate representation ahead of the global event.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the 10th edition of the tournament, is scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026. Pakistan will kick off their campaign in the tournament opener against the Netherlands, set to be played in Colombo.
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