Pakistan will not play the group stage match against India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Pakistan government has announced a boycott of this high-voltage match scheduled for February 15. Natura, this decision has created a massive stir in the international cricket arena.
ICC’s Concern and Diplomatic Initiative
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is deeply concerned following this sudden decision by the Pakistan government. Primarily, the fear of huge financial losses is the main headache for the ICC. Therefore, they have quickly started behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to resolve this crisis. According to a report by the Pakistani media outlet ‘Dawn’, there are still about two weeks left before the match. Consequently, the ICC believes it is possible to find a respectable solution within this time.
Efforts for Compromise
The ICC is seriously considering Pakistan’s concerns and objections. Moreover, several influential cricket boards are assisting the ICC in resolving this crisis. The Pakistan government has not yet officially stated a specific reason for the boycott. However, there are precedents in the cricket world for boycotting World Cup matches due to security or political reasons. For instance, Australia and the West Indies did not play against Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup. Similarly, England refused to play against Zimbabwe, and New Zealand against Kenya in the 2003 World Cup.
Pakistan’s Argument and Legal Basis
According to ‘Dawn’, some people consider this decision by Pakistan as wrong or illogical. This is because clear reasons were given in previous incidents. Nevertheless, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) is moving very carefully. Specifically, they want to rely on the case filed against India in the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) in 2018.
Consequences of Old Conflicts
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the PCB and BCCI in 2014. The condition was that the two countries would play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. In exchange, Pakistan supported the ICC’s ‘Big Three’ revenue model. But India did not play the series according to that agreement. When the PCB wanted to know the reason, the BCCI remained silent at first. Later, they cited the lack of permission from the Indian government. However, they could not show any written proof of this.
Potential Consequences
The PCB fears that the verdict might go against them due to the BCCI’s influence within the ICC. If that happens, Pakistan could face a heavy fine or a ban. In that case, the Pakistan government is reportedly planning to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Bangladesh Issue and Pakistan’s Support
Recently, Bangladesh was excluded from the tournament after their request to change the venue due to security reasons was rejected. In this event, Pakistan voted in favor of Bangladesh. It is assumed that this incident also has an indirect effect on Pakistan’s decision.
Fear of Financial Loss
An India-Pakistan match means a massive flow of money. According to media reports, the commercial value of this single match is about 50 million US dollars. Huge revenue comes from broadcasting rights, advertisements, sponsorships, and ticket sales. Even the price of a 10-second advertisement during the match is sky-high. Therefore, if the match does not take place, the ICC and broadcasters will face huge financial losses.
ICC’s Stern Message
After Pakistan’s announcement, the ICC issued a statement calling on the PCB to find a ‘mutually acceptable solution’. The organization made it clear that selecting matches at will goes against the spirit of a global tournament.
Situation on the Ground
On the other hand, news has emerged that the Indian team will be present at the Colombo ground at the scheduled time even if Pakistan does not play. If the Pakistan team does not arrive on the field at the specific time, India will get a walkover. Consequently, they will earn full points according to the tournament rules.