Islamabad. Pakistan, famous for its antics on the cricket field and double standards on international forums, has once again embarrassed itself. The long drama going on regarding the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan to be held on February 15 is now over. The Government of Pakistan and the Cricket Board there have surrendered and given permission to play the match against India in Colombo. However, just before this decision, Pakistan Cricket Board chief and Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi created a new controversy by dragging the name of Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
A few hours before the confirmation of playing the match, Mohsin Naqvi had shown a very harsh attitude in a press conference. He said angrily that Pakistan is neither afraid of India nor of ICC’s threats. Crossing the limits of his flattery, Naqvi said that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir never comes under any pressure and the entire government stands behind him. In political circles this statement is being seen as a desperate attempt to please the Army Chief. Naqvi deliberately involved the army in this game to cover up his weakness domestically.
The reason behind Mohsin Naqvi taking the name of Asim Munir is the wound of Operation Sindoor which India gave to Pakistan in May 2025. After the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Indian Army had destroyed terrorist bases in Pakistan and PoK. To hide that defeat and embarrassment, Pakistan had given the rank of Field Marshal to General Asim Munir, which no one there got after 1959. Now with the help of the same imaginary bravery, Naqvi was trying to create an atmosphere against India, but his efforts proved unsuccessful within a few hours. This U-turn of Pakistan is believed to be the result of international pressure and fear of economic loss. Initially, Pakistan had threatened to boycott the match in the name of showing solidarity with Bangladesh, but ICC completely destroyed this strategy of Pakistan. After ICC’s strict stance, Bangladesh Cricket Board itself advised Pakistan to play with India. Apart from this, diplomatic messages from the President of Sri Lanka and UAE made Pakistan realize that in case of cancellation of the match, it would be completely isolated in world cricket. Ultimately, after making heavy statements and invoking the name of the Army Chief, Pakistan understood its reality. Pakistan has agreed for this great match to be held on 15th February in Colombo, but this bravery of Mohsin Naqvi and then sudden U-turn has made Pakistan very bad in the world. The cricket world is now seeing this as a diplomatic defeat for Pakistan.