“Pakistan will backtrack over the next four to five days” - Ravi Ashwin confident of India vs Pakistan clash happening as per schedule

Former India spinner and analyst Ravi Ashwin is confident of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) making a U-turn over the next four to five days on their decision to boycott the India group stage fixture in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

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Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Ashwin felt that the India vs Pakistan marquee game would take place as per the original schedule, stating that the PCB will 100 per cent backtrack on their decision. 

“100 per cent the match will happen. I think Pakistan will backtrack over the next four to five days. I want to see the encounter as well,” Ravi Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“They can face financial losses. The broadcasters will lose a lot of money, so there has to be a compromise. All the members will face losses, and they will say in the ICC meeting that, because of Pakistan, we are facing these losses. In the PSL, the players might not be given the NOCs,” he added.

Furthermore, Ashwin also reckoned that refusing to play against a single opponent is just not acceptable. Moreover, he is hopeful of the PCB showing better sense and making a U-turn on its decision.

“Pakistan and India will be playing at a neutral venue, so the issue of the venue is not there. To say I will not play against a particular opponent is not acceptable. I hope better sense prevails and these matches take place,” he noted.

“I would not be surprised if they go the distance. Pakistan's biggest enemy is itself. It's all about their mindset. If you tell them you can't lose against India, then that would be a big problem," he concluded.

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Notably, India and Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA.

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