Pakistani journalist Aftab Iqbal faced a wave of criticism on social media after commenting on Pakistan’s decision to play against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

 

Pakistan had initially refused to play following government instructions and tensions over the ICC’s handling of Bangladesh-related issues. The match, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, became a hot topic after the PCB accused the ICC of bias.

 

In a video posted on his social media accounts, Aftab Iqbal was asked about the U-turn on Pakistan’s cricket decision.

 

 

“Frankly, it is an embarrassment. I would like to advise my general viewers that you should never issue a threat that you cannot act upon. When you threaten someone, you must be mentally prepared to follow through,” he said.

 

He added, “It is exactly like giving someone a loan; you should already be mentally prepared for the possibility that the money may never come back.”

 

Aftab Iqbal explained the wider impact of Pakistan’s decision.

 

“The damage of this decision is that Pakistan is already known for making empty threats. Tomorrow, if someone threatens India again, what credibility will that threat have? We once said, ‘If you stop our water, we will stop your breathing.’ Neither was the water stopped, nor was anyone’s breathing stopped. Exactly the same thing has happened here.”

 

He also warned about future credibility issues.

 

“In the future, this pattern will continue. You will keep saying, ‘We have nuclear power, we have nuclear power,’ but people will stop taking you seriously. So now the question is: what should be done? The only answer is this: you must win the match against India at all costs. Your team is a good team. India’s team is not some unbeatable force. Comparatively, you are better than them.”

 

He concluded by addressing the team’s morale.

 

“Right now, you are demoralised. Your morale is down. And the biggest role in destroying your morale is played by your own government and rulers, who lower your morale day and night,” he said.

 

Social media users were quick to react to his statements, with some suggesting he sounded like an Indian journalist.

 

One wrote, “It was a tactic to pressurise ICC and BCCI. All Pakistan knew (except Aftab Iqbal) that the match will be played eventually.” Another asked, “Tu phly ya bta k Pakistani ho ya Indian?” A third commented, “Bewakuf ka dosra nam Aftab Iqbal hai. Bhai ICC khud ap k pass chal k aya hai.”

 

Other users added, “Allah pak e hadiyat de apko,” “Waise bhi aapki credibility kya hai?” and “Sir aap se aisi language ki umeed nahi thi.”

 

The controversy escalated after Bangladesh’s fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL at the direction of the BCCI, leading Bangladesh to request the ICC move matches outside India. The ICC rejected the request and later replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.

 

Pakistan stood in support of Bangladesh and initially refused to play India. However, after a request from the President of Sri Lanka and appeals from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Pakistan agreed to play the fixture as per the schedule.