Ashwin Predicts Pakistan Will Reverse Boycott Stance Against India in T20 World Cup

Ace India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said that in the next two to three days, Pakistan will reverse their boycott stance against the India game in the T20 World Cup, adding that there are a lot of business decisions made around an India-Pakistan game, all of which would fall apart in case of a boycott. The Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement confirming its participation in the upcoming tournament, ending a period of uncertainty during which Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland. However, the statement also clarified that the Salman Ali Agha-led team wouldn’t take the field against arch-rivals India in the group-stage clash. In response, the International Cricket Council released a statement, saying that it would seek a resolution through discussions. “The India-Pakistan match will happen, 100 per cent. In fact, I think in the next 2,3, or 4 days, they will reverse their boycott. That is my hunch. I want to see the India-Pakistan match," Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel. “There are a lot of business decisions in this. After all of this, if Pakistan decides to play against them on February 15, what will their mindset be?" Ashwin questioned. As per reports, no discussions have taken place between the two governing bodies, even as the Pakistan team has arrived in Sri Lanka ahead of their warm-up game against Ireland on February 4. Ashwin pointed to past instances of teams boycotting games, including multiple during the 2003 World Cup. However, he noted that teams such as Australia, New Zealand and England took those decisions because of security concerns, unlike the current stance adopted by Pakistan. “Pakistan could face massive losses with this. They will have to pay broadcasters for the loss they are causing, which isn’t going to happen. So, I think they will have to compromise," Ashwin said. “Pakistan already got a neutral venue to play against India, so to say that ‘I will not play against a particular opponent’ isn’t acceptable in many ways. I hope better sense prevails," Ashwin added.