Cricket icon Sourav Ganguly has fired a sharp rebuke at Pakistan's decision to boycott their blockbuster T20 World Cup 2026 clash with India, questioning the logic behind skipping a global showdown. In a candid interview, the former India captain and BCCI president expressed disbelief over the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) move. "Backing out of a World Cup for what? They are playing in Sri Lanka anyway," Ganguly said, highlighting the irony since the February 15 Group A fixture was set for neutral Colombo.

Pakistan's boycott stems from solidarity with Bangladesh, who withdrew earlier citing security fears for matches in India. The ICC dismissed Bangladesh's venue shift request, paving the way for Scotland's entry. Despite the neutral venue, Pakistan's government instructed the team to forfeit, amplifying cricket's geopolitical undercurrents.

Ganguly emphasized the high stakes: every World Cup point counts, and ditching the India game could hobble Pakistan's tournament hopes. These rivalries routinely shatter viewership records—past encounters have topped 500 million viewers—making the no-show a massive letdown for fans worldwide.

Ganguly's comments align with Team India's focus. T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed readiness to secure points by default if needed. Dada also backed India's bold batting in their opener against the USA, despite a mid-game wobble: "That's T20—you've got to keep swinging." As the tournament heats up across Mumbai and Colombo with bolstered security, this saga underscores persistent India-Pakistan strains. Ganguly's straight talk cuts through: World Cups demand commitment over controversy.