The Aryavarth Express New Delhi: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Monday strongly criticised Pakistan ‘s decision to boycott its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, calling it “a slap on the face of Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and the BCCI.”
Speaking to the media, Chaturvedi questioned India’s response to the situation and alleged a lack of a firm stance despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) being the most powerful and financially strong cricketing body in the world.
“Pakistan is willing to pay penalties and face the consequences imposed by sporting bodies that our Sports Minister spoke about. This is a slap on the face of the Sports Minister of India and the BCCI. Despite being the strongest and richest body in the ICC, India is being boycotted and could not take a stance when it should have,” she said.
Chaturvedi further remarked that Pakistan appeared prepared to bear financial penalties, even if it meant seeking assistance from international lenders. “They may have to take loans from the IMF or the World Bank to pay fines, but they have taken a stance. India, on the other hand, was found wanting,” she added.
Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai also criticised the government’s handling of the issue, calling it a missed opportunity. “It was our mistake that we gave Pakistan an opportunity to turn us down. A firm decision should have been taken after Operation Sindoor. ‘One step forward, two steps back’ seems to be the foreign policy of this government,” Rai said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant, however, welcomed Pakistan’s decision to boycott the match. “It is good. We do not even want to play against them. Pakistan nurtures terrorists. Will we play against them? They only have hatred towards us, so why should we play against them?” he said.
Pakistan’s decision pertains to its group-stage match against India scheduled for February 15 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. In a post on X, the Government of Pakistan stated that while it had approved the national team’s participation in the tournament, the team “shall not take the field” against India. No official reason was provided for the decision.
Following the announcement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) stated that “selective participation” undermines the fundamental premise of a global sporting event and urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to explore a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.
The development comes amid broader tensions surrounding the tournament. Last month, the ICC announced that Scotland would replace Bangladesh in the 2026 T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board declined to participate as per the published schedule. Bangladesh’s refusal followed concerns over travel to India, which arose after Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad following a BCCI directive amid unrest in Bangladesh.
