“Nahi khelenge” — “We won’t play.” Those two words have echoed through cricketing circles like a ghost from political standoffs past. But according to former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, that defiant slogan may now be nothing more than empty rhetoric. In a candid and explosive take, Latif has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its foot-dragging over participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, particularly regarding a potential blockbuster Pakistan World Cup final against arch-rivals India [[1]].
With the tournament just months away and Pakistan’s squad scheduled to depart soon, Latif argues the moment for any meaningful political protest has long passed. The real question now isn’t whether they *should* play—but whether they even have a choice left.
In a recent media interaction, Rashid Latif didn’t mince words. “They acted too late,” he said, referring to the PCB and Pakistani authorities. “If you wanted to make a statement by not playing, you should’ve done it months ago—when the schedule was announced, when the venues were confirmed. Now, with players training and logistics in motion, saying ‘nahi khelenge’ just looks confused, not principled” [[1]].
Latif, known for his outspoken views on cricket administration, emphasized that the world stage doesn’t wait for domestic indecision. “Cricket is global. The ICC has rules. Sponsors, broadcasters, fans—they’ve all planned around this event. You can’t hold the sport hostage at the last minute because of internal hesitation.” His remarks cut to the heart of a recurring issue: the entanglement of sports and geopolitics in South Asia.
Unlike most nations, Pakistan’s national cricket team cannot participate in international events without explicit approval from the federal government. This stems from longstanding diplomatic tensions with India, especially after the 2019 Pulwama attack, which led to a de facto freeze on bilateral cricket ties [[3]].
While ICC tournaments are considered “neutral” events and have allowed Pakistan to compete against India in the past (as seen in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups), the government still retains veto power. The PCB currently awaits this clearance—a process that has dragged on far longer than in previous cycles, fueling speculation about a possible boycott [[4]].
Let’s break down the critical timeline:
As Latif pointed out, if Pakistan truly intended to boycott, they should have withdrawn during the scheduling phase—not weeks before departure. At this stage, pulling out would incur financial penalties from the ICC, damage Pakistan’s standing in global cricket, and disappoint millions of fans worldwide.
An India-Pakistan match is the single biggest draw in cricket—generating billions in viewership and advertising revenue. A boycott wouldn’t just hurt Pakistan; it would significantly diminish the tournament’s commercial and emotional impact.
According to a 2024 report by ESPNCricinfo, matches between the two nations account for nearly 70% of total World Cup digital engagement [[5]]. Losing that fixture would be a massive blow to broadcasters like Star Sports and the ICC’s revenue model.
Despite the silence from the government, signs point toward participation:
Most insiders believe the “nahi khelenge” narrative is more political posturing than actual policy. As one anonymous PCB official told reporters, “The team is ready. We’re just waiting for the green light—which usually comes at the last minute” [[1]].
For more on how politics shapes cricket diplomacy, see [INTERNAL_LINK:india-pakistan-cricket-diplomacy-history].
Pakistani fans are deeply divided. While some support a principled stand, the majority—especially younger fans—are furious at the prospect of missing out on a World Cup showdown. Social media campaigns like #LetUsPlay and #CricketNotPolitics have gained traction, echoing Latif’s frustration with bureaucratic delay.
Meanwhile, Indian fans remain cautiously optimistic. “We’ve been through this before,” said one Mumbai-based supporter. “But honestly, the game isn’t the same without them.”
Rashid Latif’s blunt assessment cuts through the noise: the era of using cricket as a political bargaining chip is becoming increasingly unsustainable. In a globalized sport driven by fan passion and commercial reality, last-minute threats of non-participation only erode credibility. Whether or not Pakistan competes in the Pakistan World Cup final (or even the group match) will be decided soon—but the bigger lesson is clear. Cricket deserves better than to be held hostage by indecision. Fans on both sides are ready to watch. It’s time for leaders to let them.
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