Why Kris Srikkanth Warned Pakistan to Skip the T20 World Cup 2026

The T20 World Cup 2026 is facing a major crisis after Indian cricket legend Kris Srikkanth told Pakistan to stay home. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has hinted that Pakistan might boycott the tournament to support Bangladesh. This tension puts the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match in Colombo at risk. Currently, the tournament is still scheduled to go ahead with both teams, but the war of words is heating up.

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Cricket Legends Speak Out on Boycott Threats

Former India player Kris Srikkanth has told Pakistan to "find an excuse" and skip the tournament if they are unhappy. Srikkanth believes the event will be successful even if Pakistan does not play. He made these bold statements on his YouTube channel recently. Many Indian fans agree with him as they are tired of the constant threats from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The issue started when the ICC moved Bangladesh out of the tournament and replaced them with Scotland. Pakistan officials claimed this was unfair. However, the ICC has already made special plans for Pakistan to play all their matches in Sri Lanka for safety. Even with these plans, Pakistan is still threatening to pull out. Many experts think this is just a way to put pressure on the ICC.

The $38 Million Price Tag of a T20 World Cup 2026 Boycott

If Pakistan decides to skip the T20 World Cup 2026, it will lose a massive amount of money. Experts say the PCB could lose up to $38 million in a single year. This includes $34.5 million that the ICC pays them every year. They could also be sued by TV companies for millions more. The India vs Pakistan match is the biggest source of money for the whole tournament.

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A boycott would also hurt Pakistan’s domestic league, the PSL. Other countries might stop their players from joining the PSL as a punishment. The ICC could even ban Pakistan from international cricket entirely. This happened to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in the past. If this happens, Pakistan’s cricket future would be in danger for many years.

The next few days will decide the future of the tournament. Pakistan must choose between making a political point and saving its cricket finances. If they play, the world will see a record-breaking match. If they stay home, the PCB may face a total financial collapse. The ICC is standing firm and will not change the schedule further.