Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has lashed out at the escalating diplomatic row threatening the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, calling Pakistan’s decision to boycott its high-stakes match against India "pretty disgraceful."

Speaking to reporters following the Pakistan government's announcement that its team would "not take the field" for the February 15 fixture, Tharoor argued that the intrusion of politics into sports has spiraled out of control.

He traced the friction back to the expulsion of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders, suggesting that while the initial denial of the player's contract was unfortunate, the subsequent refusal of Bangladesh and Pakistan to participate in scheduled matches constitutes an overreaction that undermines the spirit of the game.

Tharoor urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to act as an emergency mediator to halt the "nonsense" and preserve the sanctity of the playing field.

The political fallout has drawn sharp reactions from across India's legislative spectrum, highlighting a deep divide on how to handle cricketing ties with neighboring nations.

Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai criticized the government’s foreign policy, suggesting that India should have taken a firm stance against playing Pakistan following "Operation Sindoor" to avoid being snubbed on a global stage.

Similarly, Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh contended that India should have proactively refused to play against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in 2025, calling for the ICC to take stern disciplinary action, including a potential ban on Pakistan for its "selective participation."

These comments come amidst a backdrop of heightened regional tension, following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) earlier refusal to travel to India over unverified security concerns, leading to their replacement in the tournament by Scotland.

The ICC has officially condemned the move, labeling "selective participation" as irreconcilable with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event.

In a formal release, the governing body emphasized that the tournament is built on sporting integrity and consistency, warning the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of significant long-term implications for the cricket ecosystem in their country.

Despite the ICC’s independent security assessments finding no credible threat to visiting teams, the geopolitical deadlock persists just days before the tournament's February 7 kickoff.

As India prepares to defend its title in Group A, the governing body remains hopeful for a resolution, though the current trajectory suggests that one of cricket's most-watched rivalries may be decided in a boardroom rather than on the pitch.

Source: ANI