Former England cricketer Mark Butcher has said that Pakistan “pulled a blinder” by refusing to play India at the T20 World Cup.

 

Speaking on the “Stick to Cricket” podcast featuring David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell and Alastair Cook, Butcher criticised the International Cricket Council's (ICC) handling of Bangladesh’s security concerns and Pakistan’s response. 

 

“Pakistan have basically pulled a blinder. They have said they still want to be involved in the tournament, but they are not going to play India. That is the only lever Pakistan have to pull in this situation.For India, that's a disaster.”

 

He added that the ICC did not give Bangladesh the same options it did to India when they refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, and highlighted the financial angle of the Pakistan-India fixture.

 

“It is the most lucrative fixture in the world of cricket. That is why Pakistan and India are always placed in the same group. It is not a coincidence. Everything is arranged from the top,” he said.

 

Butcher criticised the inconsistency in ICC decisions. “Other teams have to qualify, they get put in groups, it comes out of a hat. But these two teams, it is all about money,” he added.

 

Michael Vaughan also weighed in, saying, “Is it one rule for one and another for another? India previously refused to play in Pakistan and got a neutral venue. Bangladesh was denied the same treatment. That is why Pakistan are taking this stance.”

 

The podcast comes as reactions flood the internet after the Pakistani government confirmed that the national team would skip the group stage match against India scheduled for February 15, following consultations between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif. 

 

The move was in reaction to ICC’s “double standards” towards Bangladesh over security concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup in India.