Suryakumar Yadav during the Men’s T20 World Cup warm-up match between India and South Africa at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. (PTI)
TimesofIndia.com in Mumbai: India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has reacted to the lingering uncertainty surrounding the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. While the Pakistan government has decided to boycott the match, Surya claimed that the Indian cricket team will go ahead as planned and has already booked tickets for Colombo. “The thinking is clear… we didn’t agree to play. We accepted the loan. The schedule was given by the ICC. Our flight is booked to Colombo, we are going. Baaki dekh lege (our thinking is clear, we didn’t say no to play. They said no. ICC announced the draw, our flight is booked and we are going. We will see the rest when we get there to Surykupper) Mumbai.T20 World Cup: Bangladesh take a stand; Pakistan’s move reeks of desperation
When asked if Pakistan’s decision to boycott the match was good for the game of cricket, Surya added that it was not something under his control. The Indian skipper claimed that they have played Pakistan three times in the Asia Cup at a neutral venue and have done well.“Their decision is not in my control. We were told to play the match on the 15th. We played them three times during the Asia Cup at a neutral venue. If we get an opportunity again in Colombo, we will play again,” Surya added.Surya also sympathized with the decision makers as the decision to boycott the government came from the government.“That’s not my challenge. It’s not an easy job, they have to work. It came from the government, it’s going to be hard to deal with,” the captain said.
The ICC announced the draw, our flight is booked and off we go. We will see the rest when we are there
Suryakumar Yadav on Pakistan’s boycott of India
Earlier in the day, Salman Ali Agha had said that they would follow the directive issued by the Pakistan government to boycott the February 15 clash against India. “The India match is not in our control. It is the government’s decision and we respect it. Whatever they say, we will do it,” Agha told reporters in Colombo on Thursday. “And then we have three more games and we’re very excited about that.Agha also deflected a question when coaxed as to what Pakistan would do if they faced India in the semi-finals.“The India game is not in our control. It was the government’s decision and again, if we have to play them in the semi-final or final, we have to go back to them and act on their advice,” he said.On Sunday, Pakistan’s government announced that its cricket team would not take the field against arch-rivals India, without giving a reason for the decision.“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team will not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15 against India,” the Pakistan government said in a post on X.