Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has slammed Pakistan cricket and its players after their boycott threat ahead of the T20 World Cup. Gavaskar said Pakistan players often take U-turns on their retirement decisions and the same could be done by the PCB and Pakistan’s government.
While the Pakistan government has given permission to the team to travel to Sri Lanka, they said the side will not take the field against India.
India and Pakistan were once again placed in the same group by the ICC and they were all set to lock horns against each other on 15th February at Colombo.
Sunil Gavaskar said on India Today, “I think in the next four or five days, when reactions start pouring in from across the world and even from their former players, there is a possibility that Pakistan will change their stance. Pakistan players have set examples. They keep coming back from retirement. So something like that might happen before the 15th.”
“What’s new in this? We all know Pakistan cricketers retire and then, four days later, take back their retirement, saying ‘our fans told us to play more’. This might happen again. What’s the problem with making U-turns in your decisions? There’s no issue, as far as I know.””
Meanwhile, the ICC has asked PCB to reconsider their decision as not playing India will have serious repercussions. Gavaskar has urged the governing body to take strict action against Pakistan cricket.
“Definitely, I think if you withdraw at the last moment, that is an issue. If you withdraw earlier on, that’s another matter altogether. But if you withdraw at the last moment, on the eve of the tournament, then yes, I think certainly the ICC should come in and take some action,” said Gavaskar to India Today.
“I don’t know what action they will take, but I think there are so many other boards involved, so it’s not just going to be one person’s decision. However, it should be something that ensures no other team in the future also considers doing that.”
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.
