'If you really have the guts...': World Cup winner challenges Pakistan to boycott T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after they refused to play their T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India, which was supposed to take place on February 15 in Colombo. Pakistan's stand not play against India came after the International Cricket Council (ICC) turned down Bangladesh's demand to play their World Cup matches outside India. The Cricket governing body has replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the mega event after they refused to play in India after the schedule announcement.

Harbhajan Singh's challenge to PCB

Harbhajan, who was a part of India's 2011 World Cup winning squad challanged the Pakistan Cricket Board to remain adamant on their take if they have the guts to do so.

"What benefit are you going to get from this?" Harbhajan said in a video on his YouTube channel. “This is just to show arrogance. If you really think that you can do something like this, then be adamant. Let’s see if you really have the guts. This is a total drama created to mislead people into thinking that they are standing with Bangladesh. There’s no problem with that, but what have you thought about the people of your country who want the India-Pakistan match to happen?" said Harbahajan Singh.

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Harbhajan Singh for Mohsin Naqvi

Harbhajan also recalled PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi's 'drama' about the Asia Cup 2025 Trophy, where India defeated Pakistan to win the title. Notably, Asia Cup winners India celebrated without the trophy as Mohsin Naqvi who also holds the designation of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, ran away with the silverware and kept that in the ICC office in Dubai.

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This match was supposed to be played at a neutral venue, and there was no dispute with you. When there was a war recently, you played the Asia Cup despite that. There was the drama about the trophy, but the matches did happen because you were not ready to leave that revenue. If you are such a patriot, where was your patriotism there? So, you didn’t have any feelings for your country, but you now want to stand with some other country" added Harbhajan Singh.

Will ICC impose sanctions on PCB?

Harbhajan also believes that the cricketing governing body will likely impose sanctions on Pakistan, and there are chances that the ICC might ban them from hosting a tournament ever again.

"Just wait for the ICC to do justice. There is a possibility that you will face sanctions, fines, and maybe you won’t get to host an ICC tournament ever again," Harbhajan also said.