'Nahi khelenge': India-Pakistan T20 World Cup final faces shock twist

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has weighed successful powerfully connected the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s information successful the T20 World Cup 2026, saying the model for decisive enactment has already closed adjacent arsenic the Pakistan Cricket Board awaits clearance from the government.PCB president Mohsin Naqvi precocious met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to sermon Pakistan’s presumption aft the International Cricket Council removed Bangladesh arsenic a host.

While Naqvi has indicated that the last go-ahead is inactive pending, the committee has already scheduled the squad’s departure to Colombo connected February 2, a determination that virtually rules retired a boycott of either the tourney oregon the high-profile February 15 clash against India.

A ceremonial confirmation of information is expected from PCB.Speculation has been rife successful sections of the media that Pakistan could retreat from the tourney oregon garbage to look India. Pakistan person publically expressed solidarity with Bangladesh, and reports suggest interior discussions were held connected boycotting either the lawsuit oregon the India lucifer specifically.Latif, however, believes Pakistan moved excessively slowly. While acknowledging that the eventual determination rests with the government, helium feels the accidental to marque a meaningful connection has passed.

Though pulling retired of the tourney wholly whitethorn present beryllium difficult, Latif maintained that Pakistan could inactive opt retired of playing India, adjacent if the 2 sides were to conscionable successful the final."If the authorities says we won't play against India, the ICC volition person to judge it," Latif said. "If they don't, that's wherever the existent confrontation begins."Asked what would hap should India and Pakistan suffice for the final, Latif was blunt successful his response: "Nahi khelenge" (we won't play).Latif argued that Pakistan should person withdrawn instantly aft the determination was taken to displacement the tourney distant from Bangladesh. Speaking connected the YouTube transmission CaughtBehind, helium said: "The clip for a onslaught has passed. Every determination has a timing. You should onslaught portion the robust is hot. That clip was past week during the ICC meeting."He added: "We showed our support. We voted for them. That section is over. If we boycott now, it won't person the aforesaid impact."Chairman Naqvi has stated that the last determination connected Pakistan’s information successful the T20 World Cup 2026 volition beryllium confirmed either this Friday oregon adjacent Monday, but Latif’s remarks underline increasing vexation implicit what helium sees arsenic a delayed and diluted response.