“This is absolutely utter nonsense from Pakistan” - Irfan Pathan slams PCB for T20 WC boycott calls

Former Indian all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their calls to boycott the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, scheduled to start on February 7, in India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking exclusively to RevSportz, Pathan believes that the PCB has no real ground to stand on and can't back out at the last minute. Notably, Pakistan’s all matches are scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, as initially discussed mutually by the ICC, BCCI, and PCB.

“Nonsense! Nonsense! This is absolutely utter nonsense from Pakistan. If you have agreed to a hybrid model before and to play in Sri Lanka, then why create this situation now?” Pathan told RevSportz.

“It is nothing other than utter nonsense,” he added.

Interestingly, there were also reports that Pakistan is considering boycotting the group stage match against India on Sunday, February 15, in Colombo. However, the PCB might face sanctions from the ICC if the PCB manages a boycott from the campaign or the India game.

Notably, Pakistan has already announced its squad for the T20 World Cup, with Salman Ali Agha set to lead the side. Pakistan, which won the tournament in 2009, is in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA.

Pakistan is slated to open its campaign on February 7 against the Netherlands in Colombo. Pakistan is currently playing in the three-match T20I series against Australia at home.

Pakistan squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.

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