Pakistan walking away from the World Cup won’t punish India

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi’s recent tweet has placed Pakistan cricket in an unusual and troubling position. Despite the squad already being announced, Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup remains uncertain, with a final decision expected in the coming days.

This is not just a scheduling issue. It is a question with serious sporting, financial, and diplomatic consequences.

From an emotional fan’s perspective, the idea of staying away can feel empowering. There is a belief that India would lose viewership, broadcasters would suffer, and sponsors would feel the impact. On the surface, it sounds like leverage.

In reality, that leverage is overstated.

India will move on. The tournament will proceed. Commercial adjustments will be made. The emotional satisfaction, however, would be short-lived.

The real damage would land squarely on Pakistan cricket. Unlike other boards facing unavoidable constraints, Pakistan’s core demand, playing at a neutral venue has already been accepted. Security concerns were addressed. Logistics were adjusted.

If the ICC were to ask why Pakistan withdrew after its demands were met, there would be no credible answer. That absence of logic is where sanctions become possible.

A voluntary withdrawal could trigger severe consequences. Pakistan could face restrictions on bilateral series, limits on hosting rights, and even prolonged isolation from international cricket. The impact would extend beyond the national team. The Pakistan Super League could struggle to attract foreign players. Sponsors and broadcasters would reassess their commitments. Domestic cricket would absorb the long-term fallout.

Raising concerns is valid. Calling out issues is necessary. But exiting the system altogether is not how influence is built. Other boards navigate similar pressures quietly because they understand the cost of isolation.

Cricket diplomacy, like cricket itself, demands patience and positioning.

Walking away may feel bold, but staying engaged is what protects Pakistan’s future. Emotional victories fade quickly. Structural damage does not.