Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board and its players over their threat to boycott the T20 World Cup clash against India. India Pakistan match is set to take place on 15th February. However, the Pakistan government recently announced the team will skip the India game while playing the rest of the tournament.
The legendary opener believes Pakistan will eventually back down. Gavaskar, while talking to India Today, stated, “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.”
He noted that international pressure and criticism from former players would likely force a shift. He even joked about the tendency of their players to return from retirement as a sign of their unpredictability.
“So something like that might happen before the 15th,” he added.
If Pakistan sticks to the boycott, India will receive a walkover win. Gavaskar insists the ICC must act firmly against such a move. “If you withdraw at the last moment, on the eve of the tournament, then yes, I think certainly the ICC should come in and take some action,” he stated.
He argued that the timing of the decision is the biggest issue for the sport.
The World Cup begins on 7th February, with India facing the USA. The group also features Namibia and the Netherlands. Gavaskar wants the ICC to set a strong precedent. “It should be something that ensures no other team in the future also considers doing that,” he concluded.
