Pakistan Boycott - Elephant in the Room

[msb314]

So I see a lot of threads and posts blaming each other and talking about Asia Cuo Fiasco, Hybrid Model etc. but no one is talking about the Real Elephant in the Room and the true cause of this boycott.

1. May 2025 Conflict - some people acknowledge it but not talking about it.. According to Govt of Pakistan strikes in Bahawalpur killed civilians including 6 year old son of a Amry Colonel

2. Nov 11 Islamabad Bombing - according to Govt of Pakistan. It was caused by India based attackers

3. Jan 2026 Balochistan Attack - again according to Govt of Pakistan caused by India based attackers

Asia Cup and Bangladesh is just a distraction… the reasons highlighted above are the real reasons IMO

 

[sweep_shot]

Yup.

I don't think the boycott has much to do with Bangladesh. It has to do with the recent Balochistan attack. 48 Pakistani nationals died.

2026 Balochistan attacks - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Rajdeep]

Excuses. If those were real reasons, why didn’t Pakistan boycott the U19 World Cup match against India? Why is the women’s Asia Cup game still on?

The only reason Pakistan is boycotting this match is because they are scared of losing to India once again — for the fourth time in a row. This is simply a face-saving exercise. Let’s be honest, everyone knows it.

When Indian seniors boycotted the Legends Cricket match last summer, the same posters were crying here. The likes of Afridi were blaming India for bringing politics into cricket. Now, when their own team is doing the same — and that too in an ICC event — we hear a completely different tune. This is pure hypocrisy from Pakistanis.

Indians are hypocrites as well. If we could boycott the Legends game and take pride in it, we should not question Pakistan if they decide to boycott. Personally, I have no issues if this game doesn’t happen on 15th February.

The only small difference, though, is that the Legends match was an unsanctioned retired-players league run by Ajay Devgn. The repercussions of boycotting an ICC event can be totally different. If the PCB and Pakistanis are willing to take that hit, who are we to complain? We’ll get a free two points and sprint our way to the playoffs.

It’s sab changa si as far as Indian cricket is concerned.

 

[msb314]

Excuses. If those were real reasons, why didn’t Pakistan boycott the U19 World Cup match against India? Why is the women’s Asia Cup game still on?

The only reason Pakistan is boycotting this match is because they are scared of losing to India once again — for the fourth time in a row. This is simply a face-saving exercise. Let’s be honest, everyone knows it.

When Indian seniors boycotted the Legends Cricket match last summer, the same posters were crying here. The likes of Afridi were blaming India for bringing politics into cricket. Now, when their own team is doing the same — and that too in an ICC event — we hear a completely different tune. This is pure hypocrisy from Pakistanis.

Indians are hypocrites as well. If we could boycott the Legends game and take pride in it, we should not question Pakistan if they decide to boycott. Personally, I have no issues if this game doesn’t happen on 15th February.

The only small difference, though, is that the Legends match was an unsanctioned retired-players league run by Ajay Devgn. The repercussions of boycotting an ICC event can be totally different. If the PCB and Pakistanis are willing to take that hit, who are we to complain? We’ll get a free two points and sprint our way to the playoffs.

It’s sab changa si as far as Indian cricket is concerned.

Bro I can guarantee you that the Emerging Women’s Asia Cup will get cancelled…

No chance of that happening.

Regarding the U10 game I don’t think you can cancel a game whilst it’s underway… lol

And no onfield results don’t matter - we are 0-8 on ODI WC but never boycotted ODI before

 

[mon858]

Dont think so. Political / cross border issues have been there for years. Even when bilateral series used to happen.

I think the following pushed things over the edge this time:
1. No handshakes, basically disrespect to your team and captain
2. Not receiving trophy, disrespect to your acc chairman
3. Bangladesh ousting when their govt didnt permit going when they had a cricketer kf theirs threatened and removed from IPL for political reason.

That all triggered it.

Pakistan had always been fine keeping sports away from politics but India dragged it too far.

 

[Major]

Nope they are not.

Border tensions and cross border teorrism between both countries have existed. Plus, knowing my own country, we probably were housing some controversial figure in that bahawalpur madrassa....

Issue started from the 2023 Asia Cup. Pakistan hosting it was really important as it was the first time ever we were hosting an event after the 2008 asia cup. India used its influence and sabotaged our hosting by having their games shifted to Sri Lanka. To make matters worse, the rained game in Sri lanka caused a hit to our revenue from the Asia cup. Than on top of that, India did not write the hosts name on their shirts. That was a clear violation of laws and they got away with it.

That was also the point i gave up on indian cricket fans here and stop being friendly. It was just pathetic to see how the indians here justified not writing the host name is not important and never called it wrong.

So that is where this tamasha started.

Than ct came along, india media for the next 9 months spread false news and tried its best to shift the tournament, when that didnt work, rhey shifted their game from Pakistan on the basis of security without a security check taking place.

Pakistan wanted to hit back hard at that time, but they decided to lets earn our revenues and in return force the womens world cup game and the world t20 game be shifted out of India. India obliged, and that was really big achievement for Pakistan as you can see the reaction now.

The whole no hand shake thing added to it. Which is why Pakistan waited and than in the end pulled this move.

Basically the goal is to show india is not someone that can host events, damage the revenue bcci, icc and star sports will get and make stakeholders aware of how bad things are with india.

The whole bangladesh and mustafizur event was good timing and the icc on the cake. When that took place, we pounced on it.

 

[SportsWarrior]

Excuses. If those were real reasons, why didn’t Pakistan boycott the U19 World Cup match against India? Why is the women’s Asia Cup game still on?

The only reason Pakistan is boycotting this match is because they are scared of losing to India once again — for the fourth time in a row. This is simply a face-saving exercise. Let’s be honest, everyone knows it.

When Indian seniors boycotted the Legends Cricket match last summer, the same posters were crying here. The likes of Afridi were blaming India for bringing politics into cricket. Now, when their own team is doing the same — and that too in an ICC event — we hear a completely different tune. This is pure hypocrisy from Pakistanis.

Indians are hypocrites as well. If we could boycott the Legends game and take pride in it, we should not question Pakistan if they decide to boycott. Personally, I have no issues if this game doesn’t happen on 15th February.

The only small difference, though, is that the Legends match was an unsanctioned retired-players league run by Ajay Devgn. The repercussions of boycotting an ICC event can be totally different. If the PCB and Pakistanis are willing to take that hit, who are we to complain? We’ll get a free two points and sprint our way to the playoffs.

It’s sab changa si as far as Indian cricket is concerned.

Absolutely face saving step. They saw how their supposedly better u19 team got humiliated and they didn’t want their mediocre seniors to go through the same.

 

[msb314]

Nope they are not.

Border tensions and cross border teorrism between both countries have existed. Plus, knowing my own country, we probably were housing some controversial figure in that bahawalpur madrassa....

Issue started from the 2023 Asia Cup. Pakistan hosting it was really important as it was the first time ever we were hosting an event after the 2008 asia cup. India used its influence and sabotaged our hosting by having their games shifted to Sri Lanka. To make matters worse, the rained game in Sri lanka caused a hit to our revenue from the Asia cup. Than on top of that, India did not write the hosts name on their shirts. That was a clear violation of laws and they got away with it.

That was also the point i gave up on indian cricket fans here and stop being friendly. It was just pathetic to see how the indians here justified not writing the host name is not important and never called it wrong.

So that is where this tamasha started.

Than ct came along, india media for the next 9 months spread false news and tried its best to shift the tournament, when that didnt work, rhey shifted their game from Pakistan on the basis of security without a security check taking place.

Pakistan wanted to hit back hard at that time, but they decided to lets earn our revenues and in return force the womens world cup game and the world t20 game be shifted out of India. India obliged, and that was really big achievement for Pakistan as you can see the reaction now.

The whole no hand shake thing added to it. Which is why Pakistan waited and than in the end pulled this move.

Basically the goal is to show india is not someone that can host events, damage the revenue bcci, icc and star sports will get and make stakeholders aware of how bad things are with india.

The whole bangladesh and mustafizur event was good timing and the icc on the cake. When that took place, we pounced on it.

Govt of Pakistan made this decision…

They don’t give a crap about Asia Cup, handshakes and any other nonsense…

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Good to bring it up OP but it’s debatable whether it’s the elephant in the room.

For the simple reason that it’s in the open and no one has a problem talking about it.

Of course Pakistan’s boycott is a cynical attempt to hit back at the old enemy India, does anyone really think they really care that much about ‘brotherly Muslim country’ Bangladesh?

Along with the cricket we’re playing a game of power. And only the naive think otherwise.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Yeah. Presenting Bangladesh as the main reason behind the boycott is just the tail.

 

[ravisurya]

Excuses. If those were real reasons, why didn’t Pakistan boycott the U19 World Cup match against India? Why is the women’s Asia Cup game still on?

The only reason Pakistan is boycotting this match is because they are scared of losing to India once again — for the fourth time in a row. This is simply a face-saving exercise. Let’s be honest, everyone knows it.

When Indian seniors boycotted the Legends Cricket match last summer, the same posters were crying here. The likes of Afridi were blaming India for bringing politics into cricket. Now, when their own team is doing the same — and that too in an ICC event — we hear a completely different tune. This is pure hypocrisy from Pakistanis.

Indians are hypocrites as well. If we could boycott the Legends game and take pride in it, we should not question Pakistan if they decide to boycott. Personally, I have no issues if this game doesn’t happen on 15th February.

The only small difference, though, is that the Legends match was an unsanctioned retired-players league run by Ajay Devgn. The repercussions of boycotting an ICC event can be totally different. If the PCB and Pakistanis are willing to take that hit, who are we to complain? We’ll get a free two points and sprint our way to the playoffs.

It’s sab changa si as far as Indian cricket is concerned.

The game not happening is the best case scenario going forward . Will clear up a lot of delusions.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Pakistan is locking horns with the wrong bull and expecting people to clap. Boycotting an India Pakistan match in the name of supporting Bangladesh sounds noble on paper, but in reality it’s just unnecessary posturing. Bangladesh can fight its own battles.

Like it or not, India is the centre of world cricket. The money, the broadcasters, the packed stadiums in England and Australia all revolve around India. Ignoring that reality doesn’t magically change it.

Pakistan barely plays a full international schedule anymore and hasn’t been a top tier force for a while. Voluntarily cutting down even more cricket is a strange choice, unless the goal is to feel important.

This move doesn’t hurt India at all. It only pushes Pakistan further to the sidelines. The only real win here seems to be a few cheers from naive social media pages that confuse noise with relevance. In the end, it’s just Pakistan locking horns with the wrong bull and then acting shocked by the result.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Jibran Bhai don't worry let us handle it.

Better to lock horns with the bull, than let horns enter your backside.

Bas fikr na Kar bro situation is under control.

 

[rpant_gabba]

Pakistan is locking horns with the wrong bull and expecting people to clap. Boycotting an India Pakistan match in the name of supporting Bangladesh sounds noble on paper, but in reality it’s just unnecessary posturing. Bangladesh can fight its own battles.

Like it or not, India is the centre of world cricket. The money, the broadcasters, the packed stadiums in England and Australia all revolve around India. Ignoring that reality doesn’t magically change it.

Pakistan barely plays a full international schedule anymore and hasn’t been a top tier force for a while. Voluntarily cutting down even more cricket is a strange choice, unless the goal is to feel important.

This move doesn’t hurt India at all. It only pushes Pakistan further to the sidelines. The only real win here seems to be a few cheers from naive social media pages that confuse noise with relevance. In the end, it’s just Pakistan locking horns with the wrong bull and then acting shocked by the result.

It does financially impact India and BCCI. They have the ability to absorb it and there is good fraction Indian public and Indian cricket set up which has been seeking this.

The Bengali idiot Ganguly was dumb enough to fall for flattery and screwed things up. Without CT25 to Pakistan under his leadership at BCCI no ne of this drama materializes

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan is locking horns with the wrong bull and expecting people to clap. Boycotting an India Pakistan match in the name of supporting Bangladesh sounds noble on paper, but in reality it’s just unnecessary posturing. Bangladesh can fight its own battles.

Like it or not, India is the centre of world cricket. The money, the broadcasters, the packed stadiums in England and Australia all revolve around India. Ignoring that reality doesn’t magically change it.

Pakistan barely plays a full international schedule anymore and hasn’t been a top tier force for a while. Voluntarily cutting down even more cricket is a strange choice, unless the goal is to feel important.

This move doesn’t hurt India at all. It only pushes Pakistan further to the sidelines. The only real win here seems to be a few cheers from naive social media pages that confuse noise with relevance. In the end, it’s just Pakistan locking horns with the wrong bull and then acting shocked by the result.

Not sure if this was for supporting Bangladesh. Check the opening post from @msb314.

It can definitely hurt BCCICC's pocket. That's why they are desperate to make this game happen. It is a money maker.

 

[emranabbas]

Absolutely face saving step. They saw how their supposedly better u19 team got humiliated and they didn’t want their mediocre seniors to go through the same.

Is this why you have stopped playing bilateral with pakistan after they humilated you?

Ghar mein khus ke mara tha