Former India all rounder Madan Lal has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over their move to boycott the high profile India game at the ICC Men World Cup of Cricket 2026 on February 15.
The 74-year-old was critical of the move and said that India will not suffer, but Pakistan and Bangladesh will suffer as a result of their actions.
“I think the Pakistan government or PCB, they are all damaging their own cricket. It’s not going to solve their problems. Someone has to be there to think right. They are not thinking right at the moment. They want to support Bangladesh. You keep on supporting Bangladesh. That’s not our business. At the end of the day, Bangladesh is going to suffer, and Pakistan is going to suffer,” Lal was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
He went on to say that countries such as England, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia bring in crowds and sponsorships.
“The main thing is New Zealand, England, South Africa, Australia, they are the biggest countries for cricket, they’re going to get the crowds, they’re going to get all the sponsorship,” he concluded.
On February 1, the Pakistani government stated that their cricket team will compete in the World Cup, but will not face India.
Expect a U-turn from Pakistan: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar also expressed his honest opinion about Pakistan’s participation. The former opener was unequivocal in his assessment, predicting a U-turn from Pakistan on their participation in the event.
“I think in the next four or five days, when reactions start pouring in from across the world and even from their former players, there is a possibility that Pakistan will change their stance,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
“What’s new in this? We all know Pakistan cricketers retire and then, four days later, take back their retirement, saying ‘our fans told us to play more’. This might happen again.”
Sunil Gavaskar
The Pakistani team, Led by Salman Ali Agha, has just beaten Australia in a preliminary event to the main tournament and it will play in Group A with India, the United States, the Netherlands, and Namibia.
