NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh launched a scathing attack on Pakistan after it decided to boycott its T20 World Cup match against India despite confirming participation in the tournament starting February 7.
Harbhajan said Pakistan had created unnecessary drama to mislead people and project solidarity with Bangladesh after the ICC replaced them with Scotland.
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"Begani Shadi mei abdullah deewana... Pakistan government has said that their team will participate in the T20 World Cup but will not play against India. There is absolutely no logic to this. This is the same Pakistan government and the same PCB that, after some time, will say that the dispute was actually Bangladesh's, the ICC imposed the ban, and we were ready to play and resolve the issue. This is nothing but a complete drama being created to mislead people. They are trying to project that we stand with Bangladesh," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
Harbhajan argued that Pakistan had not even considered its own fans, who eagerly look forward to an India–Pakistan clash. He also emphasised that Pakistan unnecessarily dragged itself into the situation after Bangladesh's request to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka was outrightly rejected by a 14–2 vote among ICC members.
"You may say you support Bangladesh, but what have you thought about the people in your own country who want an India-Pakistan match to happen? When the ICC voting took place on Bangladesh's request, it was rejected by a 14-2 margin. Australia, England, South Africa and several other countries were part of that vote. So why are you unnecessarily picking a fight over this issue, and what exactly do you stand to gain from it?"
The former off-spinner also accused Pakistan of hypocrisy, pointing out that the country has no hesitation in playing high-revenue fixtures when it suits its interests, even amid ongoing political tensions.
"Fair enough, if you don't want to come, then don't. India also doesn't go to your country - fair enough. But this match was at a neutral venue. Some time ago, during the Asia Cup, the match still took place because there was revenue involved. You were not willing to give that up."
"It's possible sanctions were imposed on you, and it's also possible that in the future you may not get the opportunity to host any ICC tournament. Let's see whether you actually have the courage to stand by your decision, or whether this was just a shot in the dark."
