Former India star slams Pakistan amid T20 World Cup boycott buzz

Amid growing speculation over Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, senior Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has weighed in, firmly brushing aside talk of a boycott - especially of the marquee clash against India.

The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7, but the Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to formally confirm the team’s participation. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently held discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and later stated that “all options remain open,” adding that a final decision would be announced either on Friday or early next week.

Uncertainty intensified after reports suggested Pakistan might stay in the tournament but skip the high-profile India-Pakistan match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. However, Rahane dismissed such claims outright, expressing confidence that Pakistan would not take such a step.

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“I don’t believe that will happen. They don’t have the courage to do so,” Rahane said during a recent interaction, downplaying the possibility of Pakistan pulling out of a match of such magnitude.

The situation has been further complicated by the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament. Bangladesh, backed by its interim government, refused to tour India citing security concerns. While the PCB has publicly supported Bangladesh’s position, sources indicate that Pakistan is in no position to make an extreme move without risking strained relations with the ICC and other member nations.