Now only four days are left for the start of T20 World Cup 2026. The drama of Pakistan has started before this tournament starting from 7th February. The drama that started with the noise of boycotting the tournament has now come to a halt with the boycott of the match against India to be held on 15th February. By boycotting the match against India, Pakistan is shooting itself in the foot. Also, Pakistan’s record in ICC tournaments against India in the 21st century shows that the neighboring country’s fear of playing India is justified.
Pakistan scared of consecutive defeats against India
The continuous defeats against Team India have scared him and that is why he adopted the path of boycott. If the match does not take place then they will not have any respect in their country. The recent video of former Indian cricketer and veteran commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has heated up the India-Pakistan cricket debate again. In the video, Manjrekar clearly says that now Pakistan is shying away from playing against India, and the reason for this is not politics but fear of the game. In the words of Manjrekar, ‘The truth is that defeating Pakistan against India has now become an extraordinary challenge for them.’ Talking about avoiding or boycotting the match against India shows that Pakistan is looking for excuses instead of giving answers on the field of play.
Manjrekar raised questions on ‘Mahamukabale’
The cricket match between India and Pakistan has been called a great competition for years, but Manjrekar has raised a direct question on this notion. Manjrekar says that even if the India-Pakistan match does not take place, it neither reduces the value of the tournament nor causes any loss to Indian cricket. In Manjrekar’s words, ‘If the India-Pakistan match does not happen, it is not a big deal. To be honest, for a long time the actual match has not even come close to the hype and drama that happens before the match.
‘India and Pakistan are no longer at the same level in cricket’
Manjrekar’s sharpest attack is on this point. He clearly said that India and Pakistan are no longer at the same level of cricket. He said, ‘The reason for this is very clear. India and Pakistan are no longer on the same level on the cricket field. In the 90s and before, the cricket competition between the two was fun because Pakistan used to be a strong team, but not anymore. This statement does not appear to be emotional, but based on data and the current situation.
‘India’s victory now seems like a habit’
Sanjay Manjrekar also made the most talked about comparison in his statement. He said, ‘Today when India beats Pakistan, it feels as if India is defeating a weak team.’ This may sting for Pakistan supporters, but the ICC tournament records of the last two decades strengthen this thinking. India’s record against Pakistan in all three major ICC tournaments, ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, has been very one-sided. India’s winning record against Pakistan, including both T20 and ODI World Cups, is 15-1. Team India’s only defeat was in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Pakistan has never been able to defeat India in the ODI World Cup and has always lost. From 2001 till now, 19 matches have been played between the two teams including NDA World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. Out of these, Pakistan has won only four matches. At the age of 15, he had to suffer. The ODI World Cup of 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 and the T20 World Cup of 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022 and 2024, Pakistan was seen struggling against India on all these big stages. So he had to make an excuse for the boycott. This is why the India-Pakistan match is now beginning to seem more like a formality than a thrill.
Pakistan lost all three matches to India in Asia Cup
Referring to the decline of Pakistan cricket, Manjrekar also gave the example of Asia Cup. He said, ‘I saw this decline in the Asia Cup also. All you have to do is compare the young players coming from the Indian cricket system and the Pakistani cricket system. This difference is like heaven and earth. This statement directly raises questions on Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure. In the Asia Cup T20 2025, India defeated Pakistan in all three matches. Then there were talks that India should boycott the match against Pakistan, but Team India gave a befitting reply to Pakistan on the field and defeated them on all three occasions including the final. Now Pakistan, on the contrary, has already accepted defeat because they cannot compete with us in sports.
Is the talk of boycott due to this fear?
Now things like boycott or refusal to play the match against India have been said from Pakistan side. Manjrekar’s stand on this is very clear. He believes that if there was confidence, there would have been no question of leaving the field. He said, ‘Whether India-Pakistan match happens or not, it is not a big event for me.’ Manjrekar also made it clear that the real test of the Indian team is not Pakistan but the top teams of the world. He said, ‘Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa, these are the teams, after defeating which we will feel proud of this Indian team.’ That means Pakistan is no longer included in the list which determines India’s superiority.
‘Even if there is no match, the value of the tournament does not diminish’
Manjrekar openly expressed his disagreement when the India-Pakistan match was called the life of the tournament. He said, ‘If the India-Pakistan match does not take place, it is certainly unfortunate because no one wants a walkover or forfeit, but it does not reduce the value of the tournament.’ According to him, the real matches are against those teams which constantly challenge India. When there are continuous defeats, it is natural to feel fear within the Pakistan team. If Pakistan and their trophy-thief president Mohsin Naqvi were confident that they could win the match, then why would they avoid playing? Cricket is not only a game of skill but also a test of mental strength. India not only built a strong team in the last two decades, but also developed the habit of winning in big matches. At the same time, after facing defeat against India again and again, Pakistan team kept getting trapped in the same psychological trap.
Fear, falling confidence and changing rivalry
There was a time when India-Pakistan match was an equal battle for both the teams. Today the situation is such that India has progressed both mentally and at the cricketing level. Pakistan’s repeated defeats have weakened its self-confidence, and this fear is now visible in statements like boycott. Brilliant young batsmen, lethal bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and a strong domestic system have made India a consistent force in ICC tournaments. At the same time, Pakistan still seems to be struggling with unstable selection, weak system and mental pressure.
