Ashwin Confident India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash Will Proceed Despite Boycott Threat
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed strong confidence that the highly anticipated India versus Pakistan match in the upcoming T20 World Cup will take place as scheduled, despite recent political tensions and boycott threats from the Pakistan government. In a detailed analysis on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ashwin emphasized that the match is "100 percent" likely to happen, citing significant financial and cricketing implications that would force a reconsideration of the boycott decision.
Background of the Boycott Threat
The controversy began when the Pakistan government announced that its national cricket team would not take the field against India in their group stage match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. This decision was reportedly made in solidarity with Bangladesh, which had previously pulled out of the tournament. The International Cricket Council (ICC) responded swiftly, issuing a warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about the potential consequences of such a boycott.
As of now, the PCB has not officially informed the ICC about the decision, leaving the situation in a state of uncertainty. However, Ashwin believes that the next 3-4 days will see this decision being overturned, allowing the much-awaited encounter to proceed.
Financial and Global Implications
Ashwin highlighted several critical factors that make the boycott unlikely to materialize. He pointed out the significant financial losses that would result from not playing the match, including the need to reimburse broadcasters for any incurred losses. "The financial thing involved in this will mean that other ICC member countries too will face a loss," Ashwin stated, adding that in ICC meetings, member nations would likely blame Pakistan for these losses.
Moreover, Ashwin warned of potential repercussions for Pakistan's domestic cricket scene. "PSL is also going to happen. Even in PSL, players can say that we will not come," he noted, referring to the Pakistan Super League, where international players might refuse to participate if the boycott proceeds. This could further isolate Pakistan in the global cricket community.
ICC's Stance and Historical Context
The ICC has made its position clear through a press release, urging the PCB to consider the long-term implications for cricket in Pakistan. "The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of," the release stated.
Ashwin also drew comparisons with past boycotts in cricket history, such as teams refusing to travel to Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup or matches being forfeited in Zimbabwe during the 2003 World Cup due to security and travel issues. However, he emphasized that the current situation is different because the India-Pakistan match is scheduled at a neutral venue in Colombo, with no venue-based problems. "To say I will not play a particular opponent is just not acceptable in many ways," Ashwin remarked, hoping that better sense prevails.
Ashwin's Personal Hope and Conclusion
Expressing his personal desire to see the match happen, Ashwin said, "I hope I want to see the India-Pakistan encounter. Because there are a lot of business decisions in this." He reiterated that the high stakes involved, both financially and for the sport's global harmony, make it imperative for the match to proceed. With the ICC, BCCI, and PCB having previously collaborated on a hybrid model for multi-nation tournaments, Ashwin remains optimistic that a compromise will be reached, ensuring that cricket fans worldwide do not miss out on this thrilling contest.
