India captain Suryakumar Yadav was not part of the first batch of skippers to address the media in Mumbai on Thursday, as anticipation built around India’s response to the uncertainty surrounding their marquee T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
On Wednesday night, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government’s stance, stating that the Salman Ali Agha-led side would not take the field against India next week. India finally broke their silence a day later.
Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference, Suryakumar confirmed that India would travel to Colombo regardless of Pakistan’s position and clarified that the team had received no instructions not to play the match.
He said: Mindset is clear… humne mana nahi kiya khelne kie liye. Udhar se mana kiya hai. ICC ne fixture diya hai, government ne decide kiya hai neutral venue. Humari flight book hai Colombo ki, hum to jaa rahe hai. Baaki dekh lege (The mindset is clear… we did not refuse to play. The refusal has come from their side. The ICC has given the fixture, the government has decided on a neutral venue. Our flight to Colombo is booked, we are going. The rest, we will see.)
While the Pakistan Cricket Board has yet to officially communicate the government’s directive to the ICC, a Pakistan boycott would result in a walkover, handing India two points.
For the walkover to be awarded, the Indian team must be present at the R. Premadasa Stadium for the coin toss on February 15. If Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha fails to appear, the match referee will declare India winners by walkover.
