Daijiworld Media Network - Karachi
Karachi, Jan 30: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has stepped back from his earlier call to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup, admitting that the window for such a protest has closed, though he floated the idea of Pakistan refusing to play matches against India.
Speaking on the YouTube channel CaughtBehind, the former wicketkeeper-batsman said the moment to make a strong statement passed when the Pakistan Cricket Board failed to act decisively following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament. “The time for a strike has passed. Every decision has a timing. When the iron is hot, that’s when you strike. That time was last week during the ICC meeting,” Latif said.
Latif clarified that any decision to avoid playing India would have to come from the Pakistani government and not the cricket board. “If the government says we won’t play against India, the ICC will have to accept it. If they don’t, that’s where the real confrontation begins,” he said. Asked about a possible India-Pakistan final, Latif responded bluntly, saying, “Nahi khelenge (we won’t play).”
The former captain had earlier urged Pakistan to boycott the World Cup to challenge what he described as India’s influence over global cricket administration. However, he said Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh during the ICC vote had already been registered and that a delayed boycott would now carry little weight.
“We showed our support. We voted for them. That chapter is over. If we boycott now, it won’t have the same impact,” he said.
Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the tournament after 14 votes went against their participation, with the ICC citing logistical and contractual concerns. While Pakistan backed Bangladesh, it ultimately accepted the final decision.
Earlier this week, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi had hinted at the possibility of taking a principled stand similar to Bangladesh’s, but no formal move followed. The T20 World Cup will proceed with Pakistan participating under a hybrid model, with India-related matches scheduled at neutral venues until 2027.