Former India pacer and ex-chief selector Chetan Sharma believes Pakistan’s decision not to play against India at the T20 World Cup is driven purely by politics, and that the stance will change once Bangladesh’s national election is over.
According to Sharma, the controversy surrounding Pakistan’s refusal is directly linked to Bangladesh’s general election, scheduled for 12 February. He is convinced that Pakistan will reverse its position shortly after the polls.
Pakistan are due to face India in a group-stage match of the T20 World Cup in Colombo on 15 February. However, on Sunday, the Pakistan government announced that the team would not take the field for the fixture.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif openly stated that Bangladesh was the sole reason behind the decision, saying the move was taken in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were excluded from the tournament.
Sharma sees clear political motives behind the development. Speaking on an India Today programme, the former India selector said Pakistan’s stance would soon change once the election in Bangladesh is concluded.
“What fault did the Bangladesh players have? None at all. This is politics,” Sharma said. “Bangladesh’s national election is on 12 February. After that, you will see a U-turn. Statements will come saying, ‘Considering public sentiment, cricket should not suffer, and Pakistan will play India.’ This position is entirely centred around Bangladesh’s election. I have been a politician myself and have contested elections. After the polls, you may even hear the army chief say that sport should be kept separate from politics and the match should go ahead.”
The World Cup controversy itself has been rooted in political tension. Amid allegations of minority persecution in Bangladesh, protests by Indian political leaders and religious groups reportedly led the Indian cricket board to instruct Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman.
This further strained cricketing relations between India and Bangladesh. Citing security concerns, Bangladesh later refused to travel to India for the World Cup, prompting the ICC to replace them with Scotland. The decision was criticised as “double standards” by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister.
That was followed by the Pakistan government’s announcement of a boycott of the match against India.
Notably, the decision has come from the Pakistani government, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) yet to make any official statement. Sharma, who played 23 Tests and 65 ODIs for India, said he would not consider anything credible until there is formal communication.
“So far, Pakistan have not officially informed the ICC. Without an official confirmation, these statements have no value. Anyone can announce retirement, but unless it is formally submitted, nothing changes. In the end, who suffers? Cricket and the cricketers,” he said.
The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup begins on Saturday.
