Former Indian pacer reacts to Pakistan’s India boycott; says ICC will have to kick them out

The Pakistani government said on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that it will compete in the T20 World Cup but boycott the match against India on February 15 when the Pakistan U19 squad was being eliminated from the competition in Bulawayo.

The ICC has not issued an immediate comment to this incident. When the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally notifies the ICC, an official reaction is anticipated. Strong ramifications are anticipated.

In response, former Indian cricket player Atul Wassan has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to bar Pakistan from the 2026 T20 World Cup if they proceed with a boycott of their Group A match against India.

"I feel a little sorry for them, and I'm also a little surprised. What do they want? As they say, "When destruction is imminent, wisdom fails." Because if Pakistan doesn't play this match and concede the points, and then you meet India later, will you still not play? So if you've decided this, then you haven't left ICC with any option. ICC will have to kick them out because it would be blackmail, wouldn't it?... They don't know the financial loss will be significant,” said Wassan as quoted by NDTV Sports.

Wassan also refuted the assumption that the ICC runs under India's authority, stressing the distinction between the global body and the Board of Authority for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Atul Wassan further ridiculed Pakistan by suggesting that the boycott could come as a relief to the players, considering their poor record against India in World Cups. The Men in Blue have won 15 out of their 16 encounters against their Asian rivals in the ODI and T20 World Cups, including seven out of eight in the latter.

"They are trying to find every possible way to spite India, to retaliate against India... They don't understand that they're heading towards ruin. Maybe the Pakistani players will relax, because they know they're going to lose anyway, so the humiliation will be less," said Wassan.

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