Kapil Dev Slams Pakistan's India Match Boycott: "You Are Destroying an Entire Generation"
1983 World Cup-winning captain warns repeated withdrawals will isolate Pakistani cricket; ICC faces revenue concerns
Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev has sharply criticized Pakistan's decision to boycott their T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo, warning that such actions damage the country's reputation and harm the careers of young players.
Pakistan confirmed on Sunday that while they will participate in the tournament, they will not take the field against India—a decision following the ICC's rejection of Bangladesh's demand to shift matches out of India.
Kapil Dev's Strong Warning
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain said the issue extends far beyond politics, directly impacting cricket careers.
"If the players have made this decision, they can come forward and say it. But if the board says they won't play, it damages the country's reputation," Kapil Dev stated in a media interaction.
He warned that Pakistan risks international isolation through repeated boycotts. "The situation doesn't look good for Pakistan. You are destroying an entire generation," the Indian cricket icon added.
Commercial Implications for ICC
The boycott places the International Cricket Council in a difficult position. India-Pakistan matches are considered the commercial backbone of ICC tournaments, generating a substantial portion of broadcast revenue.
The high-profile rivalry attracts global viewership numbers unmatched by any other cricket fixture, making Pakistan's withdrawal a significant financial blow to the tournament.
Tournament Context
Pakistan's decision came after the ICC expelled Bangladesh from the World Cup over a deadlock regarding security concerns about playing in India. The PCB had backed Bangladesh's position and accused the ICC of "double standards."
All of Pakistan's World Cup matches were already scheduled in Sri Lanka due to existing bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan. Despite this accommodation, the team has chosen to forfeit the India encounter, resulting in automatic loss of two crucial group stage points.