Shashi Tharoor’s remarks came after Pakistan announced that they will skip their clash with India on February 15 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. (Image credit: Agencies)
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor slammed the growing politicization of cricket as he termed Pakistan’s decision to boycott the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group stage match against India as “disgraceful” and urged all parties involved to urgently engage in dialogue to resolve the escalating dispute.Responding to the controversy, Tharoor said that sports should unite people rather than widening differences. He also weighed in on Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s situation in the Indian Premier League, stating that the left-arm seamer should never have been denied his Kolkata Knight Riders contract and called Bangladesh’s reaction an overreaction. According to Tharoor, Pakistan’s move appears to be driven by solidarity with Bangladesh, with the overall situation now spiraling out of control.
“Cricket or Cowardice?” Opposition MPs Lash BCCI After Pakistan Boycott India T20 World Cup
“It is quite disgraceful that the sport has been politicized like this on both sides, frankly speaking. I don’t think Mustafizur (Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman) should have been denied a contract to play in Kolkata. It was most unfortunate. The intrusion of politics, I think Bangladesh’s effort is a show of excessive solidarity with Pakistan. Bangladesh, this whole thing is getting out of hand,” Tharoor said journalists.Calling for immediate intervention, Tharoor stressed that cricket must serve as common ground and called for emergency talks, suggesting the ICC could facilitate the discussions.“I think we really need to come to an understanding that sport, especially a sport like cricket which means so much to all people, should be a means of bringing us together at least on the field rather than allowing it to continue like this. I honestly think this is now a wake-up call for everyone involved to contact each other on an emergency basis, the ICC could be a platform for that – suffice it to say, this could be nonsense,” it added.Tharoor’s remarks came after Pakistan announced they would skip their clash with India on February 15 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Pakistan government confirmed the decision in a post on X, saying the team “will not take the field” against India.The following post read: “The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan gives 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 15 February 2026 against India.”No reason was given for the move. Meanwhile, India entered the tournament in strong form after sealing a 4-1 T20I series win over New Zealand.The ICC later warned against “selective participation”, saying it was against the spirit of the global sporting event. In a statement, the governing body said it has taken note of Pakistan’s stand and is awaiting an official communication from the PCB.“While the ICC awaits an official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the basic premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms as per the schedule of the event,” the ICC statement said.The ICC reiterated its commitment to fairness and integrity, adding that such decisions are not in the best interests of the game or fans around the world.“While the ICC respects the role of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the well-being of fans around the world, including millions in Pakistan. The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as it is likely to affect the global cricket ecosystem,” said a member who is himself a beneficiary.“The PCB is expected to explore a mutually acceptable solution that protects the interests of all parties involved,” the report further said.India hold a dominant 7-1 record over Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cups. The tournament begins on February 7 and defending champions India have been placed in Group A alongside Namibia, Netherlands, USA and Pakistan. India began their campaign against the USA on 7 February before taking on their arch-rivals on 12 February.