Indian Captain Suryakumar Yadav Remains Unbothered by Uncertainty Over Pakistan’s Recent T20 World Cup Antics

Suryakumar Yadav also highlighted India’s dominance, noting that they successfully defeated Pakistan as many as three times during the Asia Cup.

Indian Captain Suryakumar Yadav Remains Unbothered by Uncertainty Over Pakistan’s Recent T20 World Cup Antics

Suryakumar Yadav suggested that India is prepared to face off against Pakistan. (via India Today)

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the India-Pakistan fixture due to the latter’s boycott decision, Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav‘s focus remains intact. Yadav recently confirmed his team’s readiness to play against their arch-rivals, at the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The historic cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan seems to have taken a turn since the 2025 Asia Cup, which followed a tense diplomatic and military standoff between the two countries. At the Asia Cup in the UAE, Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, despite the two sides having faced each other thrice in the tournament. Tensions seem to have even continued into the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan, extending solidarity with Bangladesh’s unexpected exit from the T20 World Cup, announced that it would specifically not play against India on February 15, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. While negotiations between the ICC and PCB are ongoing over a possible change in stance, the captains of the two sides attended separate pre-WC media events. Suryakumar Yadav was in Mumbai with 11 others, while Salman Ali Agha was in Colombo with seven remaining captains.  

Both captains were, as expected, questioned about the uncertainty surrounding the India-Pakistan fixture. Suryakumar Yadav indicated that his team is unfazed, while also stating that the decision remains out of their control.

The 35-year-old also made it clear that the Men in Blue would fly to Colombo, regardless of the opposition boycott, and that the team would complete its pre-match preparations in Sri Lanka as per the ICC’s protocols.

The Indian T20I captain also said his team has no issues facing Pakistan, while framing the situation as Pakistan’s concern. Interestingly, Salman Ali Agha, speaking miles away in the Sri Lankan city of Colombo, echoed similar sentiments, while also reiterating that the decision to play against India or not rests completely in the hands of the Pakistani government, and not the team. 

Our mindset is very clear. We haven’t said no to playing them [Pakistan]; they are the ones who’ve said no. Our flights are booked, and we are going to Colombo.

If Pakistan finally forfeit the match against India, it would mean that they would need to win their remaining three group games to make it through to the Super Eight stages. The Men in Green first face off against the Netherlands, followed by the USA (February 10), and Namibia (February 18).

Iceland Cricket cannot take a break, trolls Pakistan once again over its T20 World Cup ‘theatrics’ 

The drama surrounding Pakistan’s decision to boycott their 2026 T20 World Cup fixture against India has taken a hilarious turn, with Iceland Cricket stepping in once again. On social media, Iceland mocked Pakistan for potentially jeopardizing its chances of qualifying.

Iceland troll Pakistan
Iceland Cricket trolled Pakistan for its decision to boycott game against India. (via NDTV Sports)

Iceland Cricket had previously trolled the PCB for delaying their decision on whether they would play or take Bangladesh’s route out of the T20 World Cup. Iceland had shared an image of their next available flights to Colombo, while hilariously offering to be Pakistan’s replacement in Group A. Now that Pakistan has chosen only to boycott the match against India, Iceland Cricket has made fun of them again.

The European nation predicted that Pakistan could be knocked out of the World Cup if they lose their first group-stage fixture against the Netherlands. Iceland comically suggested this would be the quickest elimination from an ICC tournament, happening in just three hours. The Men in Green had also struggled during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where defeats to the United States and India resulted in an early exit.

Meanwhile, the Ugandan cricket team had also mocked the Pakistan team when rumors suggested they might replace Pakistan in the tournament. Uganda expressed its readiness by stating it would bring its ‘bold kit’ to the subcontinent, free from any ‘heat, noise, or pressure.’

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