Pakistan has refused to play against India in the T20 World Cup, a move that could heavily backfire. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to convene a meeting on this matter. According to sources connected with the cricket portal Aaj Tak, the ICC board will meet on Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss the issue and decide future actions.
Although the Pakistani government had announced via social media on Sunday that the national team will not play against India, ICC sources indicate that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to provide any official letter or notification regarding this.
Just hours after the government publicly declared its decision, Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha said the senior national team would comply with the government's decision, adding that this matter falls outside the cricket board's jurisdiction.
Naqvi Remains Silent
PCB Chairman and Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has remained silent on the issue, despite previously considering a full tournament boycott, now narrowed to boycotting only the match against India in support of Bangladesh.
Notably, Bangladesh withdrew from their tour to India citing security concerns, consequently being replaced by Scotland in the tournament.
Possible Severe Sanctions if Pakistan Doesn't Play
Sources reveal that if Pakistan doesn't take the field against India on February 15, the ICC is considering imposing strict sanctions. Pakistan would have to concede a walkover, losing two crucial points and significantly impacting their net run rate.
What Could ICC Sanctions Include?
Off the field, ICC sanctions could pose a severe threat to the future of cricket in Pakistan.
A ban on foreign players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), along with the withdrawal of international recognition and commercial support for the league.
A significant reduction in the revenue Pakistan receives from the ICC's revenue pool, heavily impacting PCB's financial reliance.
Compensation to broadcasters for the revenue loss from the unplayed India-Pakistan match.
Exclusion from the Asia Cup.
A halt to all bilateral series involving Pakistan.
Read more: Fleeing from India, can’t escape Netherlands-USA! Pakistani fans already anxious
In an official statement, the ICC warned Pakistan of potential outcomes and urged the PCB to consider long-term effects before making a final decision.
Impact on Broadcasters
The India vs Pakistan clash is one of the most-watched events in world cricket. During last year's Asia Cup, India and Pakistan faced off three times within a month, generating billions for broadcasters.
Should Pakistan refuse to play India this month, broadcasters may exert immense pressure on the ICC, disadvantageous for Pakistan.
Previous Boycotts Have Occurred, But...
There have been precedents of teams refusing to play matches. In the 1996 World Cup, Australia and the West Indies did not travel to Sri Lanka citing safety concerns. During the 2003 World Cup, England refused to play Zimbabwe for political reasons, while New Zealand did not play a group match against Kenya in Nairobi.
Read more: Shahid Afridi steps into T20 World Cup controversy... Supports Pakistani team, questions ICC
However, none of these instances involved such a high-profile boycott announced at the last minute.
