Argus News - T20 World Cup Boycott Drama: Pakistan to Repeat Asia Cup 2025 Act of Last-Minute U-Turn!

Bhubaneswar, Feb 9: Will Pakistan make a U-turn on its decision to boycott India match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup? That’s the question trending on social media chatter for the past couple of weeks. It has even taken on a sarcastic edge, with many asking: “So, when exactly will Pakistan make its U-turn on the boycott?”

 

It’s as if people refuse to be fooled by the ongoing drama stirred up by Pakistan. The reason: they did something similar just a few months ago — at the Men’s Asia Cup 2025. And people nowadays carry a strong memory, courtesy social media.

 

So, before exploring the current situation, let’s walk down the memory lane to recall PCB’s ‘expected U-turn’ during the continental event in September.

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The Asia Cup 2025 Chapter

 

Pakistan had threatened to withdraw unless match referee Andy Pycroft was removed. The team accused Pycroft of bias and mishandling the handshake row and disciplinary actions. ICC, however, stood by Pycroft, saying he had “acted entirely in accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct and the Spirit of Cricket”.

 

The drama took an ugly turn when Pakistan team, dissatisfied with the handling of the issue, threatened to not to take the field ahead of their match against UAE on September 17 in Dubai.

 

Even the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) requested ICC to reassign Pycroft. And frankly, it is understandable as ACC is led by Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Result: Same as before as ICC rejected it on the same grounds, consistent with the position already communicated to the PCB.

 

Following the request of Pycroft himself, ICC facilitated a meeting between the Pakistan captain Salman Agha, team manager, and the match referee. Pycroft issued an apology, but only for the miscommunication, as clarified by Naqvi, and not for the handshake snub, initiated by India.

 

And Pakistan made a U-Turn on its boycott threat just a few hours before the Pakistan-UAE match, which was eventually delayed by nearly an hour.

 

Most interesting part of the row was Pakistan’s statements, twisting the truth. “ICC’s controversial match referee Andy Pycroft has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Andy Pycroft had prohibited the captains of both teams from shaking hands during the India-Pakistan match,” PCB had said in a post on X.

 

It’s like saying Pycroft was at fault for everything those had transpired between India and Pakistan on the field. After the release of details, PCB was at the centre of trolls and memes.

 

In the end, the ICC stood by Pycroft, pressure from the ACC ultimately compelled the PCB to stand down. Even the ICC was at its teasing best, when Pycroft was assigned as the match referee for the final between India and Pakistan.

 

The Ongoing Boycott Saga

 

The India vs Pakistan match of the T20 World Cup is just six nights away, but the uncertainties over the high-octane contest continues. A call — to boycott the match — that was triggered after Bangladesh pulled out of the global event, has continuously grabbing the headlines.

 

Pakistan government issued a statement on X allowing Pakistan to participate in the T20 WC, but to boycott India match “in solidarity with Bangladesh”. Although, PCB hasn’t officially communicated the decision to ICC, the global body has already clarified them about sanctions.

 

A two-member ICC delegation comprising Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja and the Associate Members’ representative, Mubashir Usmani, met Naqvi on Sunday. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam was also there to greet the ICC delegation.

 

In the meeting, PCB made three demands before the ICC:

• No more handshake drama: PCB urged ICC to ensure that India doesn’t repeat the handshake drama, followed by the team since the Asia Cup, in future matches.
• Larger share of ICC income: PCB demanded a larger share of total income ICC gets from India-Pakistan contests.
• Resumption of Bilateral: The Pakistan cricket body has also asked ICC to ensure the resumption of bilateral series between India and Pakistan, which haven’t been played since 2012.

 

According to reports, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) too had something to demand:

• Compensation: BCB had demanded monetary compensation for their absence from T20 World Cup. Reports suggest that ICC officials have informed BCCB that the global body has nothing to offer Bangladesh as compensation but will ensure the member receives a full share from ICC earnings.
• Hosting Rights: BCB has also demanded for hosting rights of ICC events, most likely the U19 Asia Cup in 2028.

 

ECB, SLC Jump In

 

Multiple reports suggest that Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have cautioned PCB, urging them to reconsider the boycott decision. Both the boards reminded PCB of the tough times Pakistan Cricket had faced.

 

The ECB minced no words, categorically reminding the PCB of the support it offered during tough times, and it’s now the latter’s turn to reciprocate.

 

Prior to that, SLC reminded the Pakistan board of the 2009 Lahore attack and how Sri Lanka was the first major team to visit when international cricket returned to the country.

 

Latest Development

 

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to meet PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday. The sentiment is far more in favour of the India vs Pakistan match going ahead as scheduled on February 15. A final decision is expected by the end of Monday (Feb 9).