Pakistan, hai hai. Pakistan, hai hai.
That was the chorus on news television channels, in English and Hindi. Maybe not in as many words, but the meaning was clear: angry TV news channels launched their own Operation Sindoor on the western front.
What annoyed news channels was the Pakistan government’s decision that Pakistan would not play India in the forthcoming T20 World Cup, even though the match would be on neutral territory, Sri Lanka.
“The Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India,” a Pakistan government statement said on Sunday.
TV news channels responded immediately. They heaped scorn and abuse on Pakistan for being so “chicken”.
“Coward Pakistan,” cried CNN News 18 and Times Now in unison. “Coward Pakistan chickens out.”
“Cricket cowardice,” added a CNN News 18 anchor, just in case Pakistan hadn’t got the message loud and clear the first time.
“Cowardly country,” offered Times Now, as a variation. “Lacks guts.”
“Spoilsport,” sneered India Today.
“Kangal Pak,” added Live Times.
Some surmised that Pakistan was trembling with fear at the prospect of playing India.
“Pakistan runs away,” said News 18 India on Monday morning. “Pakistan, hai hai.”
“Decimated Pakistan runs from field of play,” declared Times Now.
NDTV 24×7 was even more cutting: “Pak shredded to pieces in Asia Cup (by India),” it wrote, was now having a “tantrum.”
It was “Pak duplicity,” said several TV anchors.
“Typical Pakistan behaviour where ambiguity is concerned,” added an NDTV 24×7 anchor.
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Panellists and players join the chorus
Cricket experts, former players, and other guests were no less biting in their assessment of Pakistan’s decision not to play India.
On Aaj Tak, Vikrant Gupta, cricket correspondent, said Pakistan ran away because it feared losing to India, simple as that.
Harbhajan Singh, one of India’s spin wizards, said on Aaj Tak that Pakistan did this all the time. It would threaten not to play just before a tournament.
Boria Majumdar, cricket writer and broadcaster, had a similar take. “They keep everything hanging,” he said on NDTV 24×7.
“This is Pakistan’s stunt,” proclaimed ‘cricket scholar’ Sunil Yash Kalra on News X, adding loftily that it was “unsportsmanlike”.
For panel regular Shekhar Vijayan, appearing on News X, Pakistan had “lost the plot” and “looks really stupid”.
“A cowardly retreat once again,” said Delhi & District Cricket Association’s Shyam Sundar Sharma, “It’s a ploy to divert attention.” (Times Now)
TV news anchors, correspondents, and most guests presented Pakistan as calculating. They warned viewers to be careful of thy neighbour. Lt General Devendra Pandey said we should “never trust Pakistan”.
Former Indian diplomat Rajiv Dogra, who had served in Pakistan, drew our attention to what he called its “cunning”.
“Every low cunning is possible with Pakistan,” he stated.
Former India player Atul Wassan, meanwhile, pegged it on malice.
“They don’t care about cricket, this is (one way) to spite India,” he told CNN News 18.
Very strong reactions. Are we so eager to play — and defeat — Pakistan? Since India has “shredded” and “decimated” them in most multilateral contests, do we want to rub their noses into the ground again? Otherwise, why was everyone on television so hot beneath the collar?
The real loss
Follow the money, viewers, follow the money.
TV news anchors revealed that the immediate loss to India from Pakistan’s boycott of its match would be between Rs 200-250 crore in advertising revenue.
The Times of India wrote that an India-Pakistan clash is estimated to generate up to $250 million (over Rs 2,200 crore) overall, and that a no-show would lead to a massive financial loss for all stakeholders.
So now you know why everyone’s so agitated.
It explains why most news channel reporters and anchors wanted the International Cricket Council to “crack the whip” on Pakistan and fine them prodigiously (News X).
They also called for “severe sanctions” and “punitive actions” (NDTV 24×7, Times Now), although we don’t know what these may be.
“Punish Pakistan,” demanded CNN News 18.
Former Indian star batsman Sunil Gavaskar reminded us that the decision to forego the match with India was taken by Pakistan’s government, not the cricketers (Aaj Tak).
Others saw geopolitical games at play, arguing that the decision had nothing to do with cricket.
“It (Pakistan) has sent a message to Bangladesh,” said Sanjay K Jha, political commentator (Times Now). He added that Bangladesh has been removed from the T20 tournament for refusing to play in India, and that Pakistan was refusing to play now in solidarity with Bangladesh.
On India Today, sports correspondent Nikhil Naz made a similar point: Pakistan saw the action against Bangladesh as “unfair”, and this was a geopolitical move.
India Today anchor Rajdeep Sardesai saw graver consequences. “The subcontinent is split wide open,” he said.
Well, that’s not cricket, but unfortunately, that’s the way it is.
(Edited by Asavari)