Politics behind Pakistan’s boycott of India T20 World Cup game, experts say | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup News
Pakistan’s recent decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India has sparked significant political and sports-related controversy. The Pakistani government announced that while their men’s cricket team would participate in the global tournament, they would not play the game scheduled for February 15 against their longtime rivals. This action has drawn criticism from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which labeled it “selective participation” and urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider the long-term implications of such a move.
The backdrop to this boycott lies in the historical animosity between India and Pakistan, stemming from the partition of India in 1947 and the ongoing conflict over Kashmir. Over the decades, the two nuclear-armed neighbors have engaged in four wars and numerous skirmishes. The political relationship remains fraught, recently flaring tensions nearly led to war, highlighting how deeply intertwined politics and sports have become in both countries.
The reaction to Pakistan’s boycott has been mixed. Indian cricket officials, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla, supported the ICC’s statement and emphasized sportsmanship. Meanwhile, former cricketers and political figures from both nations have called for the ICC to mediate, emphasizing that cricket could foster dialogue and cooperation when political relations are strained. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi urged the ICC to take decisive actions to demonstrate impartiality and fairness.
Prominent Indian politician Shashi Tharoor criticized the politicization of sports, citing recent actions such as the BCCI’s expulsion of Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League. He lamented that sports, particularly cricket, should serve as a bridge to foster unity rather than become a battleground for political disputes. He appealed for urgent dialogue between the two cricket boards, suggesting that the ICC could act as a platform for reconciliation.
The impending boycott poses significant implications for the tournament and the sport at large. A match between India and Pakistan attracts millions of viewers globally and is a crucial revenue source for tournament organizers. Former cricketer Rashid Latif voiced concerns that Pakistan could face sanctions from the ICC for their boycott, citing past instances where teams were allowed to forfeit matches under certain circumstances. He expressed skepticism about the potential hypocrisy of any ICC action against Pakistan.
Should Pakistan proceed with the boycott, it would incur a forfeiture of points, impacting their standings in Group A. The teams might face each other again in the tournament’s final on March 8, raising questions about whether Pakistan would skip that game if it were to occur. This concern was echoed by cricketer Kevin Pietersen, who questioned the seriousness of Pakistan’s stance.
Additionally, there are fears that this decision might financially hurt Pakistan cricket, given its reliance on ICC revenues compared to wealthier cricket nations like India, Australia, and England. Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle pointed out that the financial ramifications would disproportionately affect countries dependent on ICC income, including Pakistan.
Pakistan is set to kick off its T20 World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, 2024, playing all games in Sri Lanka, following a prior agreement that allows for neutral venues during ICC events. The geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan continue to cast a long shadow over their cricketing ties, leaving the future of their rivalry uncertain as the tournament approaches.
