The Pakistan Cricket Board has rescinded its boycott threat for the India match in the 2026 T20 World Cup, set for February 15, prioritizing avoidance of economic disaster. Madan Lal, former Indian cricketer, called it an inevitable correction.
‘PCB’s reversal was foreseeable,’ Lal told reporters. ‘Ditching India meant huge monetary hits and ICC backlash, jeopardizing their future. They chose wisely for self-preservation.’
Lal ridiculed claims of external influence from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. ‘Absurd. Can’t they think independently? They erred before and amended it now. ICC dismissed PCB pleas; BCCI decides India’s participation.’
With Pakistan’s economy in tatters, Lal stressed the stakes. ‘How do they fund cricket sans India paydays? Damages disproportionately burden them over others.’
Reflecting on the blockbuster rivalry, Lal observed, ‘Matches spark massive hype. T20 keeps it wide open, though Pakistan bears heavier expectations.’
Kalighat Club’s Hirak Sengupta advised caution against ICC. ‘World Cup belongs to ICC, where India reigns supreme. Pakistan capitulated logically.’ India’s batsmen, he said, would deliver a crushing defeat—a harsh wake-up for rivals.
Coach Manik Ghosh highlighted fiscal imperatives. ‘These games rake in ICC fortunes. Pakistan’s woes necessitated the U-turn, benefiting cricket overall.’ He noted Indian resistance to the matchup, evident in players’ refusal to congratulate opponents afterward.