Harbhajan Singh rips into Pakistan after dramatic boycott U-turn: ‘Realised late that World Cup can go on without them'

Harbhajan Singh didn’t hold back while reacting to Pakistan’s late decision to go ahead with the high-voltage clash against India.

Updated on: Feb 11, 2026, 06:12:49 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh weighed in after Pakistan reversed its earlier decision to boycott the T20 World Cup group-stage clash against India in Colombo on February 15. Pakistan had earlier opted to boycott their group-stage World Cup clash against arch-rivals India in solidarity with Bangladesh, which was removed from the tournament after the ICC turned down its request to relocate matches outside India, citing security concerns. However, following fresh discussions with the ICC on Monday night, the board softened its position, clearing the way for the much-anticipated India-Pakistan encounter to go ahead as scheduled.

Harbhajan Singh slams Pakistan after they make a u-turn on boycott decision. (PTI)

Harbhajan didn’t hold back while reacting to Pakistan’s late decision to go ahead with the high-voltage clash against India. Questioning the earlier boycott stance and pointing to the financial stakes involved, Harbhajan claimed the reversal was always on the cards, suggesting the realities of the tournament ultimately forced Pakistan to rethink its position.

"I think they realised it really late that the tournament can go on even without them, but not without India. They were saying a lot of things, that they support Bangladesh and won't play. Do that, that is their idea. We had said earlier that they would certainly take a U-Turn and play. Financial loss is too high and when it comes to money, they will come pleading to play," Harbhajan Singh told ANI.

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“ICC could have invoked charges against Pakistan”

Continuing his strong remarks on Pakistan’s last-minute reversal, Harbhajan further explained the possible consequences that may have forced the change in stance. Highlighting the financial risks and potential disciplinary action from the ICC, the former India spinner suggested that fears of long-term setbacks — including hosting rights and future participation — likely played a major role in Pakistan ultimately deciding to go ahead with the match.

"That is what has happened...Financial loss is too high, and they could even be banned in future. ICC could have invoked charges against them, and maybe they would not have received the opportunity to host a tournament ever again. I think that is why the U-Turn happened," he added.

Pakistan have opened their T20 World Cup campaign with victories over the Netherlands and the USA, while India began their journey with a win in the tournament opener and are set to take on Namibia on Thursday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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