Pakistan Boycott Will Hurt Its Own Cricket, Says Former Cricketer Madan Lal

The debate over Pakistan’s reported decision to boycott its match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has triggered strong reactions across politics and sport. Congress MP Imran Masood said India should refuse to play Pakistan and called on the BCCI to safeguard the country’s honour. Former India cricketer Madan Lal termed the boycott self-defeating, saying Pakistan was harming its own cricket while major nations would continue to dominate crowds and sponsorships. Congress MP Manickam Tagore urged restraint, warning that politicising cricket and sustaining tensions would hinder normalisation of ties, and expressed hope that the government would take a considered and responsible decision.