Watch: “Intrusion of politics…”- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reacts to Pakistan’s refusal to play vs India in T20 WC 2026

The situation of the current T20 World Cup 2026 has turned into a dramatic theatre after the Pakistan government gave the green light to the national cricket team to feature in the ICC event but kept them on red signal for the clash against India, which is scheduled to take place on February 15 at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Regarding that development, the Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor, has spoken out about the politics and felt that Mustafizur Rahman’s contract should not have been denied by the BCCI. He calls the situation unfortunate, besides reflecting on the potential solidarity PCB had been showing to BCB.

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“It is pretty disgraceful that sport has been politicized in this way on both sides, frankly. I don't think that Mustafizur (Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman) should have been denied his contract to play in Kolkata. It was most unfortunate. Intrusion of politics, I think the Bangladeshi reaction was an overreaction, but it is also a reflection of the same, and Pakistan is trying to show its solidarity with Bangladesh.” Shashi Tharoor expressed in an interview.

Shashi Tharoor reflects on Pakistan forfeiting India clash in T20 WC 2026

The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, claimed that such a decision would be taken after the ICC boycotted Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup 2026 due to their refusal to travel to India for security concerns. Tharoor noted that the game would always be on, putting everyone together on the field.

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“This whole thing is spiraling out of control. I think we really need to come to an understanding that sports, especially a sport like cricket, which means so much to all the people, should be a means of bringing us together at least on the playing field, rather than allowing this to go on like this.” The Congress MP addressed.

“I honestly think this is now a wakeup call for all concerned to contact each other on an emergency basis, the ICC could be the platform for it, just say, let's call off this nonsense. You can't go on like this forever.” Tharoor shed light.