Overview:
Pakistan have announced their squad for the big competition and ICC has warned them of serious consequences if they pull out of the World Cup.
Former India player Kris Srikkanth is pleased with the Men in Blue’s form in T20Is, saying the rival would be scared of the Suryakumar Yadav-led team at the World Cup, set to start on February 7. He also told Pakistan to opt out of the tournament, highlighting PCB head Mohsin Naqvi’s threat of boycotting the 2026 T20 World Cup in support of Bangladesh, who have been removed from the event and replaced by Scotland.
India have been unstoppable in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, their final assignment before the World Cup. India completed the chase of 154 runs in 10 overs after opener Abhishek Sharma amassed an unbeaten 68 runs off 20 balls and captain Suryakumar posted a 26-ball 57 in Guwahati.
It was the second fastest chase of 150 or more in the shortest format. The sub-continent team didn’t allow the Kiwis to settle down from the start of the contest, winning the game with eight wickets in hand and 60 balls to spare to take a 3-0 lead.
Earlier, India chased down 209 in 15.2 overs in the second clash against New Zealand, a record for the fastest chase of a 200-plus total by a full member nation.
“In the previous match, India scored 209 in 15 overs. In the third game, they scored 155 in 10 overs. Some teams might say they are not coming for the World Cup and India can keep the trophy,” Srikkanth added.
“Pakistan shouldn’t come. Their man Mohsin Naqvi has been talking about boycotting the World Cup. They will be thrashed. A six struck in Colombo will come to Madras. The best option for Pakistan is to stay away. Pakistan should find some excuse. The boys will beat them hard. They have sent an alarming signal to other teams in the world. I have never seen this kind of hitting in T20 cricket,” he mentioned.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi has refused to confirm the participation of the national team in the World Cup after Bangladesh’s request to shift their matches from India to Sri Lanka was not accepted by the ICC.
However, Pakistan have announced their squad for the big competition and ICC has warned them of serious consequences if they pull out of the World Cup.
India and Pakistan are in the same group along with the USA, Namibia and the Netherlands.