Suniel Shetty Calls for India-Pakistan Cricket Clash Amid Boycott Reports
Bollywood actor and cricket enthusiast Suniel Shetty has publicly voiced his desire for Pakistan to participate in its scheduled match against India at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking at the launch event of his film Black Scorpion: To Hell And Back in Mumbai, Shetty emphasized the historic and cultural significance of the cricketing rivalry between the two nations.
Shetty Compares Rivalry to The Ashes
"I want Pakistan to come to Sri Lanka and play against India. The India and Pakistan teams have a beautiful rivalry just like the Ashes between Australia and England," Shetty stated. His comments come at a time of heightened uncertainty surrounding the high-voltage group-stage encounter, set for February 15 in Colombo.
Pakistan Government Announces Boycott Decision
The uncertainty stems from a recent announcement by the Pakistan government, which posted on social media platform X that the Pakistan cricket team "shall not take the field" against India. No specific reasons were provided for this decision, casting a shadow over one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament.
ICC Expresses Concern Over Selective Participation
In response to Pakistan's announcement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a formal statement expressing deep concern. The global cricketing body highlighted that "selective participation" contradicts the "fundamental premise of a global sporting event." The ICC further urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to seek a mutually acceptable solution that protects the interests of all stakeholders involved.
BCCI Condemns Boycott as Unsporting
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly criticized Pakistan's decision. BCCI Joint Secretary Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, speaking on the sidelines of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 final in Vadodara, labeled the move as "against the sportsmanship of any sport." He added, "This is a very wrong decision by Pakistan. I am sure the ICC will take very strict action, and we will wait for the ICC's decision."
Indian Team Remains Prepared Despite Controversy
Amid the brewing controversy, Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav affirmed that the team is fully prepared for a potential showdown with Pakistan. During a captains' media briefing in Colombo, Yadav stressed that India's approach and preparation remain unchanged, regardless of the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan's participation.
The situation continues to develop, with cricket fans worldwide eagerly awaiting a resolution that could see this iconic rivalry unfold on the global stage once again.
