'Toh kar do boycott kaun rok raha hai' - Fans react to reports of Pakistan set to boycott World Cup in India

PCB chairman Najam Sethi (Source: Twitter)

Amid rumors that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is exploring its options to play the 2023 ODI World Cup hosted by India at a neutral venue, a fresh report has emerged that Pakistan is set to boycott the marquee event. According to a report by Pakistani sports journalist Farid Khan, the PCB move is in response to India's decision to axe Asia Cup.

Pakistan likely to boycott the World Cup in India as a retaliatory move against India's decision to axe Asia Cup - via South Asia Index

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) May 4, 2023

This is not the first time that PCB has threatened to boycott the World Cup. On February 4 this year, the Indian Cricket Board had informed Pakistan that the Indian players will not travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup. In response to that, PCB chief Najam Sethi said that if India does not reconsider its decision not to send its men's cricket team for the Asia Cup, it will also boycott the 2023 World Cup in India.

Pakistan have no issues with security: Najam Sethi

In a press conference on March 13, the PCB chairman stated that if India is concerned about security when touring Pakistan, they are also concerned about sending its men to India for the World Cup.

“I have kept my options open because when all teams are coming to Pakistan and have no issues with security. Then why is India worried about security? In the same way, we can also have security concerns over sending our team to India for the World Cup and I will be bringing this to the table at the coming meetings,” Sethi said.

“We have complex issues on hand but for me when I go to the ACC and Cricket Governing Body meetings I have kept all options open for us and we have to take a clear position now." He had then added that the Pakistan government will take the final decision on whether their team should go to India for this year's World Cup or not.

The two rivals have stopped playing bilateral matches for security reasons and now only meet in major world tournaments. Meanwhile, there were also reports that Pakistan would play its World Cup matches at a neutral venue in Bangladesh, which were later rejected by the Cricket Governing Body.

Here's how fans reacted to the reports:

If you don't have courage to boycott then why whole nation is busy to make TRP 😃

— 𝐊eshav 𝐁ishnoi 🇮🇳 (@KeshavStrong) May 4, 2023

🤣🤣🤣👍👍 mat aao pic.twitter.com/7XLejzLLzw

— Hardy🇮🇳 (@Hardy499499) May 4, 2023

Pls go ahead V r waiting to replace you guys with Nepal

— Blitzkrieg_88 (@Blitzkrieg882) May 5, 2023

Toh kar do boycott kaun rok raha hai

— Mohit Dubey (@Mohitdubey2557) May 5, 2023

Then ge ahead make sure what you said 😜🤣

— saurabh choudhary (@Saurabh44yadav) May 5, 2023

Good luck 👍 please mat aaana thank you

— ANUJ THAKKUR (@ThakkurAnuj) May 5, 2023

Congratulations! Don't play! The show will go on! And you can cry later!

— Hakuna Matata! (@Krishbeer) May 5, 2023

Pakistan trying to play political game with India Shame on pak

— Aarush (@abis_889) May 4, 2023

What a News Man. Don't Come 🥱😹

— Tanmay (@Tanmay2118) May 4, 2023

Ek bar decide kar lo.. aana hai ki nahin ?

— Sahil (@InsightEdge_) May 5, 2023

Babar will remain Zimbabar only then.

— Nirmal Jyothi (@majornirmal) May 4, 2023