After the Pakistan government finally gave the go-ahead for his team to play against India in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, former captain Mohammad Hafeez has called for a game that maintains the sporting spirit of the game rather than the on-field chaos seen during Asia Cup fixtures.
In the last 2 years, both India and Pakistan have been meeting frequently in white ball formats. Since 2023, India and Pakistan have been meeting continuously approximately every 6 months. He played one match each in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 Asia Cup and now has one more match scheduled in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
Putting the game of cricket aside, this incident has been the focal point of rising tensions between the two countries as well as the two cricket boards. The story of boycott increased further this time, because the Pakistani government had asked its team not to play against India in the T20 World Cup.
PCB and BCCI asked to keep politics away from cricket
After the Pakistan government and PCB reversed their initial decision of not being a part of the India vs Pakistan match in the World Cup, former captain Mohammad Hafeez came out and asked to keep politics out of the equation.
Speaking on TapMad, Hafeez claimed that he loves watching India vs Pakistan game and wants to watch it more often rather than just ICC events. He further claimed that it is a rivalry that inspires almost an entire generation of stars.
“Whenever there is talk about the India-Pakistan match, I have always been in favor of it because it is that match, that rivalry, that inspires the whole world. I really hope that the match happens – God willing.”
“And it is not just about this one game. I am not interested in this match alone. I want India-Pakistan matches to happen on a regular basis, politics should be kept away from it forever,” Mohammad Hafeez left one of his impossible wishes for the governments of both the countries.
He concluded, “Both countries should be allowed to play a full role in growing and spreading the game and cricket should never be stopped because of politics.”
Pakistani captain wants India-Pakistan match to be organized in the right spirit
With the boycott drama over, the former Pakistan captain is happy that the India-Pakistan match has got the green signal. However, he wants it to be conducted in the right spirit and claims that he would not like to see it if it is played like the Asia Cup fixtures.
“Secondly, whatever scenario plays out regarding the India-Pakistan match, we must always keep the integrity and spirit of the game at the highest level. Whenever this match is played – if it is on the 15th – it must be played in the full spirit of the game.”
There were several boycotts and disciplinary violations by players of both teams in Asia Cup matches. Several sanctions were also issued on players of both the teams. There was a complete lack of sportsmanship in this game.
Hafeez said, “We don’t want matches like the Asia Cup. If it will be played like that, then frankly I would not like to see it at all.”
ICC saved from financial blow due to PCB’s counterattack
On the other hand, apart from the BCCI and PCB, whose reputations were saved from being tarnished due to political and diplomatic tensions, the ICC was also saved from losing assets worth crores.
The India vs Pakistan game is often considered to be one of the greatest rivalries ever fought in the game of cricket, and garners millions in outright sums in viewership, sponsorships and more. If the Pakistani team had boycotted the game, the ICC could have suffered a loss of $174 million.
Therefore, it can easily be said that the humiliation of the boycott was a huge loss for the international body hosting the tournament.
Also read: India vs Pakistan drama: BCCI breaks silence after Pakistan government backtracks on T20 World Cup boycott
