Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has openly challenged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to show the “guts” to follow through on its threat of boycotting the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The group-stage fixture, scheduled for February 15, has become the centre of a growing political and sporting storm, with Harbhajan accusing Pakistan of acting against the wishes of its own cricket-loving public to project “arrogance” on the global stage.

The Pakistan government recently confirmed via social media that the national team has been cleared to participate in the tournament but instructed not to take the field against India. As reported earlier, the move is being positioned as political posturing in “solidarity” with Bangladesh, which was removed from the World Cup after refusing to travel to India.

While the PCB is yet to formally communicate its stance to the ICC, the announcement has already triggered sharp reactions from across the cricketing world. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan questioned the intent and impact of the boycott threat. “What benefit are you going to get from this? This is just to show arrogance. If you really think you can do this, then be adamant. Let’s see if you have the guts,” he said.

ALSO READ: India vs Pakistan Game Loss Could Cost Broadcasters Hundreds Of Crores At T20 World Cup 2026

He added that while showing solidarity is a political choice, ignoring the sentiments of millions of fans who want to see India vs Pakistan is unfair to the people of Pakistan. Harbhajan Singh also called out what he described as selective patriotism from the PCB.

He pointed out that Pakistan participated in the Asia Cup despite regional tensions and controversy around hosting rights, largely because of the revenue involved. “If you were ready to play then for the money, where was your patriotism? Now suddenly you want to show emotion for another country,” he argued.

ALSO READ: Atul Wassan Says He Feels ‘Sorry’ For Pakistan Amid T20 World Cup Boycott Row

The ICC has already warned of possible sanctions and urged Pakistan to reconsider, stating it has not yet received official confirmation from the PCB. Harbhajan believes the consequences could be severe, including fines, sporting penalties, and future hosting restrictions. As the standoff deepens, the fate of one of cricket’s biggest fixtures remains uncertain, with politics threatening to overshadow the sport yet again.