The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that a final decision regarding the national team's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup will be made by early next week.

The confirmation came from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday, following a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Naqvi, who also serves as the country's Interior Minister, described his discussion with the Prime Minister as “productive.”

According to the PCB chief, PM Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the board to resolve the ongoing standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) while keeping “all options on the table”—a directive that suggests a full boycott remains a distinct possibility.

Pakistan weighs boycotting India match in solidarity with Bangladesh

Taking to a social media, Naqvi said, “Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday.”

The uncertainty over the 2009 champions' participation stems from the deepening crisis surrounding the tournament, scheduled to begin in February.

Tensions escalated last week when the ICC officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India citing security concerns.

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The BCB’s refusal was triggered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman on security grounds—a move Dhaka viewed as an admission of a hostile environment.

With reports circulating that Pakistan may boycott the event or refuse to play India in solidarity with Bangladesh, the upcoming decision by the PCB will be critical for the future of the tournament.