Sunil Gavaskar mocks Pakistan (Source: @RCBTweets/x.com, @rummanraees15/x.com)
As the cricketing world gears up for unreal T20 fireworks at the 2026 World Cup, Pakistan’s off-field drama refuses to fade. Even after they confirmed their participation, they opted to boycott the group stage clash against India.
After the Pakistan Government announced the decision, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar took a sharp jab at the Men in Green. He warned that Pakistan could still reverse their stance and called for strict action against what he termed last-minute drama.
Gavaskar fires a sharp warning over Pakistan’s boycott move
After Bangladesh pulled out of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 was under a cloud. Following weeks of intense debate and speculation, they finally confirmed their entry, only to boycott the high-profile group-stage clash against India. The decision instantly turned heads, triggering massive buzz across the cricketing world.
Reflecting on that matter, Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar’s build comment added more drama to it. Pointing to Pakistan cricket’s history of players reversing retirements, he said he wouldn’t be surprised if the PCB followed a similar path. That bold comment grabbed the limelight.
“Their decision could change once the world starts reacting to their boycott. There's nothing new in this. Pakistani cricketers are known to make U-turns on retirement, saying their fans want them to continue,” he said.
“Similarly, it's possible Pakistani fans may question their government about this decision. So I don't see any problem here. Pakistani players have set the example - they return 8-10 days after retiring. Something similar could happen before February 15,” he added.
Gavaskar calls for firm action against the last-minute chaos
The marquee event is not even a week away, and Pakistan’s last-minute chaos is keeping the cricket world on its toes. Weighing in on the unfolding drama, Sunil Gavaskar called for strict action and urged the ICC to step in. He stressed that firm measures are needed to ensure no team dares to repeat such uncertainty in the future.
“Definitely. I think if you withdraw at the last moment, that's an issue. If you withdraw earlier, that's another matter altogether. But if you withdraw on the eve of the tournament, then yes, the ICC should step in and take action,” he said.
“I don't know what action they will take, but since many boards are involved, it won't be one person's decision. Still, whatever is done should ensure that no team in the future considers doing this,” he added.
Is the biggest rivalry set to miss the World Cup stage?
Over the years, the cricket world has seen some of the fiercest editions of the India-Pakistan rivalry, but the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to take a back seat. With the Pakistan government opting to boycott the clash against India, a cloud of uncertainty now hangs over what is usually the tournament’s biggest spectacle.
However, the PCB has signalled that it may refrain from submitting a formal written response to the ICC regarding the boycott, including an official explanation for the government’s decision. With that, the ultimate feat of the India-Pakistan clash still hangs in the balance.
