Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said the T20 World Cup can go on even without Pakistan but not without India. Pakistan had earlier threatened to boycott their match against India but later took a U-turn on their decision on Monday.

The former Punjab spinner said Pakistan must have realised that non-participation was not going to affect the tournament. The Turbanator said Pakistan was always going to reverse their decision due to the risk of incurring huge financial loss.

Harbhajan Singh said on ANI, “I think they realised it really late that the tournament can go on even without them, but not without India. They were saying a lot of things, that they support Bangladesh and won’t play. Do that, that is their idea. We had said earlier that they would certainly take a U-Turn and play. Financial loss is too high and when it comes to money, they will come pleading to play.

“That is what has happened…Financial loss is too high, and they could even be banned in future. ICC could have invoked charges against them, and maybe they would not have received the opportunity to host a tournament ever again. I think that is why the U-Turn happened.”

After a lot of discussions and negotiations with the ICC, the PCB agreed to play the match as planned, and the same was revealed by Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif.

“Following the ICC press release, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Pakistani cricket team to play the match against India on February 15,” PCB spokesperson Amir Mir said in a statement that was also shared on social media.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan cricket had also written to the PCB stating that the island nation could incur heavy financial losses in case of a boycott.