Kick Them Out! — Atul Wassan Demands ICC Ban as Pakistan Confirms India Boycott
NEW DELHI — The 2026 T20 World Cup just hit a nuclear snag before a single ball was bowled. In a move that threatens to tear the tournament’s financial backbone apart, the Pakistan government officially ordered its cricket team to boycott the February 15 clash against India in Colombo.
The Men in Green will travel to Sri Lanka. They will play the Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA. But against their arch-rivals? They won’t even step on the field.
Former India pacer Atul Wassan isn’t buying the moral high ground. He wants the International Cricket Council (ICC) to drop the hammer immediately.
“When Destruction is Imminent, Wisdom Fails”
Wassan didn’t mince words when addressing the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision, labeling it “blackmail” and “foolish bravado.” With the highly anticipated Group A fixture now reduced to a probable walkover, Wassan urged the ICC to take the ultimate step: expulsion.
“I feel a little sorry for them, and I’m also a little surprised,” Wassan told ANI. “If you’ve decided this, then you haven’t left ICC with any option. ICC will have to kick them out because it would be blackmail, wouldn’t it?”
The financial stakes are massive. An India-Pakistan World Cup match effectively funds the global cricket ecosystem. By refusing to play, Pakistan isn’t just forfeiting two points; they are risking sanctions that could cripple their cricket infrastructure for a decade.
“Maybe the Pakistani players will relax, because they know they’re going to lose anyway, so the humiliation will be less… They don’t understand that they’re heading towards ruin.” — Atul Wassan, Former India Cricketer
Wassan’s jab cuts deep but leans on cold, hard stats. India has obliterated Pakistan in World Cup encounters, winning 15 of their last 16 meetings across ODI and T20 formats. In the shortest format alone, the Men in Blue hold a dominant 7-1 record. For Wassan, the boycott is less about protest and more about avoiding another inevitable defeat.
Tournament Implications: The Walkover Chaos
If Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha doesn’t show up for the toss on February 15, the match referee will award India a walkover. Here is the immediate fallout:
- India: awarded 2 points automatically.
- Pakistan: 0 points, plus a severe Net Run Rate penalty.
- The Danger Zone: If both teams advance to the Super Eight, they could meet again in the semi-finals or final. Wassan posed the critical question: “If you meet India later, will you still not play?”
This standoff stems from the PCB’s solidarity with Bangladesh, who were removed from the tournament and replaced by Scotland after refusing to play in India due to security concerns. But while Bangladesh is out, Pakistan is trying to play by its own rules—participating in the tournament but picking its opponents.
The ICC now faces its biggest test of authority in years. Do they let Pakistan dictate the schedule, or do they follow Wassan’s advice and show them the exit door?
