NewKerala.com

Pakistan Boycotts India Match in T20 WC Solidarity with Bangladesh

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India as a protest against Bangladesh's removal from the tournament. Bangladesh's Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul thanked Pakistan for this show of solidarity on social media. The International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a strong statement, warning Pakistan that selective participation undermines the principles of global competition. Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland after its government cited security concerns and a request to shift matches to Sri Lanka was rejected.

Key Points: Pakistan Boycotts India in T20 WC Over Bangladesh Removal

  • Pakistan boycotts India T20 WC match
  • Solidarity with Bangladesh's removal
  • ICC warns PCB over selective participation
  • Bangladesh replaced by Scotland over security
2 min read

Bangladesh sports adviser Asif Nazrul hails Pakistan PM Sharif for support over T20 WC stance

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif boycotts India match in solidarity with Bangladesh's T20 World Cup removal. ICC warns PCB. Read the latest cricket drama.

"We will not play the match against India... Because there should be no politics on the playground. - Shehbaz Sharif"

New Delhi, Feb 5

Amid ongoing drama for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Bangladesh Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul thanked Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who stated that Pakistan's decision to boycott their match against India was a show of solidarity with Bangladesh in the wake of the country's removal from the tournament.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Nazrul acknowledged Sharif's decision as a protest against Bangladesh's removal from the multi-nation event. "Thank you, Pakistan," he wrote in the post.

He also quoted remarks made by Sharif during a meeting of Pakistan's cabinet in Islamabad on Wednesday, in which he explained the rationale behind the boycott. "Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said his country has decided to boycott the India match in protest of removing Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup. We will not play the match against India, he said to cabinet members on Wednesday. Because there should be no politics on the playground. We took this decision very thoughtfully. We should totally stand by Bangladesh. I think this is a very appropriate decision," he added.

Earlier, the Pakistan government announced that its national cricket team would not play the T20 World Cup group-stage match against India at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15.

In response, the ICC issued a strong statement on Sunday, urging the PCB to seek a mutually acceptable resolution and warning that selective participation undermines the principles of global competition.

"While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms as per the event schedule," the ICC said.

"The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country, as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, of which it is itself a member and beneficiary," it added.

Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup after its government declined to allow the team to travel to India, citing security concerns. Bangladesh had requested that its matches be shifted to Sri Lanka, but the proposal was rejected by the ICC.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a cricket fan, this is so disappointing. The India-Pakistan match is the highlight of any tournament. Fans on both sides wait for it. Now it's being sacrificed for political statements. Very sad for the spirit of the game.
R
Rohit P
Bangladesh's government cited security concerns for not coming to India. That's their choice. But then expecting special treatment from ICC by moving matches to Sri Lanka? That's not how a global tournament works. Scotland got the spot fair and square.
S
Sarah B
I understand the sentiment of solidarity, but the ICC's statement makes a valid point. Selective participation sets a dangerous precedent. Every team that qualifies has a responsibility to the tournament and to fans worldwide.
V
Vikram M
Frankly, it feels like a cheap tactic to gain diplomatic brownie points with Bangladesh. If Pakistan was so concerned, they could have raised the issue through proper ICC channels before the tournament schedule was finalized. Now it just looks like an excuse to avoid playing India.
K
Kavya N
The real losers are the cricket fans and the players who trained hard. Politics is spoiling the beautiful game. Hope good sense prevails and they find a solution. We just want to watch good cricket! 🏏

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50