The cricketing world reels from Pakistan’s boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India, with Ayodhya’s saints leading a crusade for the ICC to slap a lifetime ban on the offending team.
Fans were buzzing for the February 15 showdown, but Pakistan’s announcement to field its squad elsewhere while dodging India has triggered uproar. This selective participation reeks of deeper animosities, say critics.
In Ayodhya’s iconic Hanumangarhi, Deveshacharya Maharaj fired the first salvo. ‘Cricket embodies harmony; refusal to play shatters it. Label Pakistan’s terror persona and bar them forever from ICC events,’ he demanded vehemently.
Madhusudan Das Maharaj piled on, attributing the retreat to fears rooted in India’s triumphs like Operation Sindoor. ‘Pakistan senses rout on turf too. Politicizing play demands ICC’s iron fist—a total, irreversible ban,’ he urged.
Ayodhya’s pronouncements resonate amid strained bilateral ties, where cricket often mirrors conflict. Disappointed supporters decry the lost rivalry thrill, as the saints’ bold stance challenges the ICC to enforce purity in sport. This saga may herald stricter oversight on national teams entangled in politics, ensuring cricket remains a unifying force.