There is confusion on social media after a viral image claimed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for one year. This news comes at a challenging time for Pakistan cricket, especially with the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. However, fact checks have confirmed that this statement is false.
The popular image circulating on X (formerly Twitter) appears to be an official statement from the ICC. It alleges that during a recent meeting, a vote resulted in a 14-2 decision to ban Pakistan from hosting ICC events until 2040, citing a reduction in Pakistan’s ICC revenue share and the suspension of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Viral Claim Emerges Amid T20 World Cup Tension
The Pakistani government announced that its national team would not play against India on February 15 during the T20 World Cup 2026, contributing to the fake news spreading online. This match was set to be held in Colombo.
Following Bangladesh’s exit from the tournament, the Pakistani government suggested participation in only selected World Cup matches, which raised concerns about potential ICC action against Pakistan. This situation fueled the rapid spread of the fake ICC letter.
An X user shared the viral image, prominently featuring the message “ICC HAS BANNED PAKISTAN CRICKET BOARD FOR ONE YEAR,” leading many to mistakenly believe it was true.
