Ajinkya Rahane Dismisses Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Boycott Threat
India’s Ajinkya Rahane has dismissed Pakistan’s threat to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, starting February 7, saying the team “doesn’t have the guts” to follow through.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently waded into the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) vs ICC controversy, declaring that if Bangladesh were excluded by the ICC, Pakistan would also skip the tournament in solidarity. Reports from Pakistan even hinted at the possibility of forfeiting their game against India. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, however, has stated that a final decision will be made by February 2, with the likely outcome being government approval for the team’s travel to Sri Lanka.
Rahane, speaking to Cricbuzz, was unconvinced by these threats. “I don’t think they will do it. They don’t have the guts,” he said.
Naqvi’s controversial tenure has already seen multiple incidents, including the Dubai International Cricket Stadium fiasco last September when, after India defeated Pakistan in the final, he left with the trophy as the Indian team refused to collect it—marking the first time a winning team returned home empty-handed.
If Pakistan were to withdraw from the T20 World Cup, the board could face severe consequences, including heavy financial losses, possible ICC sanctions, and a ban from the Asia Cup. Tensions between the PCB and BCCI have been high since the Pahalgam terror attacks in May last year, further strained by the Indian team’s refusal to play Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends. Although India and Pakistan faced off in the Asia Cup, relations remained tense, with tempers flaring on and off the field.
Rahane’s comments suggest that, despite the rhetoric, Pakistan is unlikely to risk boycotting a marquee event like the T20 World Cup.
