Amid the reverberations throughout the cricketing world as a result of Pakistan’s announcement of boycotting its T20 World Cup 2026 match towards India, Pakistanis have rallied behind the choice taken by the federal government.
Following a gathering between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday, it was introduced that the Inexperienced Shirts will probably be taking part within the occasion, set to start on February 7, however will boycott the match towards arch-rivals India.
Sources aware of the matter instructed Geo Information that the ICC’s biased therapy of Bangladesh was the principle motive behind the choice.
Referring to the federal government of Pakistan’s resolution, the sources stated that the choice aimed toward expressing solidarity with Bangladesh, who’ve been changed by Scotland within the match after refusing to journey to India as a result of safety issues and in search of switch of matches to Sri Lanka — a request denied by the ICC.
It’s pertinent to know that beneath the association between Pakistan and India, the Males in Inexperienced will play in a impartial venue for any ICC occasion, together with the T20 World Cup, the place they’re scheduled to play their matches in Sri Lanka.
With the ICC expressing hope that the PCB would work in the direction of a “mutually acceptable decision” and would think about the numerous and long-term implications for cricket, Pakistanis have rallied behind the choice to boycott the India match.
Reacting to the event, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi referred to as for the ICC to “lead and show by selections, not statements, that it’s neutral, impartial and truthful to each member”.
“A tricky however essential stand by our Authorities. Ideas should come earlier than industrial pursuits,” wrote former Pakistan Check cricketer Mohammad Yousaf in a submit on X.
He additional identified that the “selective” affect in world cricket wants to finish for the sport to really be world.
Former PCB chief Najam Sethi additionally took to social media to again the federal government’s resolution.
In the meantime, former cricketer Rashid Latif questioned the ICC’s assertion requesting the PCB to “rethink preserving cricket’s ecosystem” and requested the place the cricketing physique was when Australia & West Indies forfeited their matches in 1996, England refusing to journey to Harare and New Zealand to Nairobi in 2003.
“ICC should realise they’ve been checkmated,” remarked Latif.
Whereas, Pakistan’s Check batter Abid Ali burdened the give attention to nationwide delight and glory.
Analyst and former Check cricketer Sikander Bakht, whereas chatting with Geo Information, stated that “a beautiful resolution was made”.
Mentioning the handshake subject with India, he stated: “Look, India now can’t ask us why we made such a call. India shakes palms with the entire world however not with us. India is able to take a trophy with each particular person”.
“[…] it refuses to take a trophy from a Pakistani who’s the President of the Asian Cricket Council, [Mohsin] Naqvi,” he added whereas referring to the 2025 Asia Cup controversy the place the Indian crew refused to obtain trophy from ACC chief Naqvi, who additionally heads PCB.
“After they do that, we are able to do it too. And it’s completely the appropriate resolution that we are going to play cricket with the entire world, however not with you,” Bakht burdened.
He additional referred to as for the choice to boycott India matches throughout codecs and stated that it also needs to apply to the U19 and ladies’s groups’ matches as properly.
“We must always exert strain: if they arrive to the negotiation desk, convey Bangladesh again, even then we should always take them on like this,” he famous.
“I assist Pakistan Authorities’s resolution to boycott the #T20WorldCup sport towards India,” wrote a person on X.
One other person went on to focus on the ICC’s double requirements relating to the ICC’s angle in the direction of India and different groups.
“Standing sturdy for Pakistan! Our resolution to boycott the India-Pakistan World Cup sport is a daring transfer to uphold our dignity and ideas,” stated one other X person.
One other person additionally backed the federal government’s resolution taken in solidarity with Bangladesh.
