Pakistan’s dramatic about-face on boycotting the India match in the 2026 T20 World Cup has sparked widespread mockery, led by ex-cricketer Danish Kaneria. Initially set to skip the February 15 clash, PCB relented post-ICC intervention, drawing Kaneria’s savage takedown of his former team’s inconsistency.
In an IANS interview, the leggie unleashed: ‘Cricket knows spin and pace specialists. Pakistan excels at U-turns.’ He had warned of this theatrical reversal, and Pakistan delivered spectacularly.
Kaneria lambasted the boycott logic tied to Bangladesh. ‘Bangladesh aiding PCB? Never happened. That was internal. Bold boycott threats, then sudden compliance – what changed overnight?’
‘Stand by your word,’ he urged. ‘U-turns amid media frenzy escalate problems, brewing future headaches. It’s hilarious now. Fearing bans and losses, they folded.’
ICC talks saw Pakistan demand India tours, but looming sanctions, revenue hits, and PSL visa woes forced retreat.
On mental gamesmanship, Kaneria noted: ‘From no-match mindset to marquee battle overnight creates massive strain. Politics invades cricket; players bear brunt. Shaheen-Abhishek duel hyped as epic. India’s streak dimmed rivalry, but boycott-then-play revived it, heaping pressure on Pakistan.’
Sudden shift demands frantic adjustments. ‘Field trash-talk incoming. Pressure mastery decides victor,’ Kaneria forecasted.