Pakistan’s government has triggered a major controversy after announcing their cricket team won’t face India at their upcoming 2026 ICC T20 World Cup clash in Colombo, scheduled for February 15. The government hasn’t cited any specific reason but it’s being seen as a gesture to show solidarity with Bangladesh after their team was ejected from the competition for refusing to play in India.
The ICC responded by advising the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider the step while warning them of long-term repercussions. As per reports, among the various sanctions that the PCB could face in case they go ahead with the boycott could be a suspension of their team from international cricket.
Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has taken exception to the reports doing the rounds on social media and questioned why the PCB is being made the “bad guys" when they are just reacting to the behaviour that India initiated during the Asia Cup last year.
“India initiated this behaviour," Ali said on his YouTube channel. “Shaking hands is not mandatory. I won’t address the Indian players’ decision not to shake hands with the Pakistani players. However, the Indians refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi. They declined because their government refused."
“Now, when we are boycotting a game at our government’s request, are we suddenly the bad guys? If India can do it, Pakistan can too!" he said.
Ali went back in history citing the punishments handed over to the teams that have in the past forfeited matches at the World Cups. West Indies and Australia refused to travel to Sri Lanka for their ODI World Cup matches in 1996, citing security concerns. On the other hand, England and New Zealand forfeited their respective World Cup matches against Zimbabwe and Kenya respectively at the 2003 ODI World Cup.
Ali has challenged the ICC to try banning Pakistan.
“West Indies and Australia forfeited their games in the 1996 World Cup. Besides losing two points, were there any other penalties imposed on them? England and New Zealand forfeited games in the 2003 World Cup. Did they face any additional penalties? And now there is talk of banning the Pakistani cricket team. Karke dekhlo! (Try it!)," he said.
He also questioned why the ICC expects the PCB to convey the decision of not playing India formally when no such communication was sought from the BCCI when they refused to travel to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy last year.
“Now the ICC has requested the PCB to reconsider this decision or formally communicate their intent. During the Champions Trophy, did the BCCI convey by letter to the ICC that they would not play in Pakistan? I challenge everyone in the ICC to show me the letter from the BCCI. How can the PCB ignore the Pakistan government’s decision? Only the Pakistan government can decide whether the Pakistan cricket team will play against India on February 15 or not," he said.
Source: News18