Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan also spoke on Pakistan’s stance as they put their participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 in uncertainty. After Bangladesh’s exit from the tournament, Pakistan had threatened to boycott the tournament.
According to Irfan Pathan, Pakistan is in no position to boycott this tournament. Since they have already agreed to play their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Sri Lanka, which is a neutral venue.
Will Pakistan boycott T20 World Cup 2026 matches?
The upcoming T20 World Cup, starting from February 7, will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Due to political issues between India and Pakistan, Pakistan matches including India vs Pakistan match will be held in Sri Lanka.
The International Cricket Council (ICC)’s premier tournament is scheduled to begin on February 7, and the much-awaited India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match will take place on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pathan said that, since Pakistan has agreed to the hybrid model, their threat to boycott the tournament has no meaning.
Sheer nonsense from Pakistan: Irfan Pathan
“Complete nonsense from Pakistan’s side after agreeing to the hybrid model – once the terms are accepted, there is no point in creating fresh boycott drama,” Irfan Pathan said in an interview with RevSportz.
Backstage with Boria Irfan Pathan
“Complete nonsense on Pakistan’s part after agreeing to the hybrid model – once the terms are accepted, there is no point in creating fresh boycott drama.” -Irfan Pathan
The full interview will air at 12 noon.@AgeasFederal @boriamjumdar @irfanpathan… pic.twitter.com/u0gs7Ys1Az
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 30 January 2026
Experienced Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane also raised his voice against Pakistan. Questioning the courage of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Rahane also felt that Pakistan has no basis to boycott the tournament.
“I don’t think they will do it. They don’t have the courage,” Ajinkya Rahane said on Cricbuzz.
Why is the acting of the play making zero sense?
There are valid reasons for what Rahane and Pathan said. As Pathan said, the hybrid model has been created with the concerns of the Pakistan Cricket Board in mind, so they are liable to deliver on their promises.
If they refuse to play and avoid the competition, the International Cricket Council will not think twice about sanctioning some strict action against the Pakistan cricket team. Even a ban on the team is not impossible, as the ICC is the supreme regulatory body of the game.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the circumstances ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Naqvi told the media that they were keeping all possibilities on the table, meaning they could even consider calling for a boycott.
Some reports also claim that the PCB may not completely boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 tournament, but they can show their protest by skipping the India vs Pakistan match to be held on February 15 in Colombo.
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