Dr Tharoor calls Pakistan’s T20 World Cup boycott ‘disgraceful,’ urging cricket to stay above politics
THE Hindustan Times, along with several other leading Indian English dailies, recently carried a statement by Congress MP, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, criticizing Pakistan’s decision to boycott its scheduled encounter with India in the upcoming ICC T-20 World Cup 2026, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
In his remarks, Dr. Tharoor described Pakistan’s decision as “pretty disgraceful,” asserting that cricket should not be politicised. His comments understandably surprised many observers in Pakistan, including myself, given his reputation as a seasoned diplomat, intellectual, and advocate of reasoned discourse.
With due respect to Dr. Tharoor, one may ask whether politicisation of sport is a one-sided phenomenon. Was it not equally regrettable when members of the Indian team declined to receive the Asia Cup T-20 Championship trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board? Did that episode not send an unmistakably political message on a sporting platform?
Similarly, when Indian players refrained from customary handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts during the same tournament, did that not amount to politicising the spirit of the game? Cricket has long been regarded as a bridge between peoples, transcending political divides. Actions that undermine this spirit cannot be viewed selectively.
Sporting engagements between Pakistan and India have always carried emotional and diplomatic weight. Therefore, fairness demands that standards be applied consistently to both sides. Labeling one country’s decision as “disgraceful,” while overlooking comparable precedents, risks appearing partisan rather than principled.
Given his stature and experience, one would have expected Dr. Tharoor to adopt a more balanced and nuanced perspective before passing judgment. A statesman’s voice carries influence — and with it, the responsibility to promote understanding rather than deepen divides. Cricket should indeed remain above politics. But that principle must apply universally, not selectively.
—The writer is a columnist and analyst based in Islamabad -Pakistan.
