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Pakistan Cricket Team Booked for Colombo Amid World Cup Boycott Threat

The Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to fly to Colombo with Australia on February 2nd, despite ongoing uncertainty about their participation in the T20 World Cup. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has thrown their involvement into doubt as a protest against Bangladesh's expulsion from the tournament. Naqvi has consulted with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, President Asif Zardari, and former PCB chairmen, receiving advice against a boycott to avoid financial repercussions. Players have been instructed to remain positive and are prepared for a potential month-long tour.

Key Points: Pakistan's T20 World Cup Participation in Doubt, Team Booked to Fly

  • Pakistan team booked to fly with Australia
  • PCB chief to decide on World Cup participation
  • Boycott threat over Bangladesh's expulsion
  • PM Sharif advised against boycott
  • Players told to stay positive
2 min read

Pakistan, Australia booked to fly to Colombo on February 2

Pakistan cricket team is booked to fly to Colombo with Australia as PCB chief seeks clearance for T20 World Cup participation after boycott threats.

"We hope that by Friday the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi will have cleared the team's participation in the mega event. - Telecom Asia Sport sources"

New Delhi, Jan 28

Pakistan will fly out to Colombo on Monday by when the country's cricket chief will have announced team's participation in the Twenty20 World Cup, said a report

"Despite the uncertainty over the participation on the World Cup, Pakistan team is booked with Australia team to fly out to Colombo via Air Lanka flight from Lahore," sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).

"We hope that by Friday the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi will have cleared the team's participation in the mega event."

Naqvi threw Pakistan team's participation in the February 7- March 8 Twenty20 World Cup in doubt in protest over Bangladesh's expulsion from the event.

The International Cricket Council had rejected Bangladesh Cricket Board's request to move their matches from India to Sri Lanka over security fears.

On Monday, Naqvi met Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad to get his advice on sending the team or not.

Sources told Telecomasia.net that PM Sharif backed PCB's stance to support Bangladesh but advised them to not boycott the World Cup to avoid any financial implications.

"Naqvi also took advice from President Asif Zardari and from military establishment before meeting two former PCB chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja who were also in support of sending the team to Sri Lanka. They have also advices not to boycott the India game," the report quoted sources as telling www.telecomasia.net.

Pakistan is also taking on Australia in a three-match T20I series starting in Lahore from Thursday.

"All the players have been told that they must remain in positive mood as far as participation in the World Cup is concerned. Some of the players from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa habe brought all their luggage from home keeping in mind that they will be out of the country for more than a month."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
It's a bit rich for Pakistan to protest on behalf of Bangladesh's security concerns when the tournament is in India. Our security for international events is top class, as seen in the IPL and previous World Cups. They should focus on their game.
A
Aman W
Honestly, the back and forth is exhausting. Just make a decision. The players are the ones who suffer, packing and unpacking. The India-Pak match is the biggest draw, of course they won't boycott that. Follow the money.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the military establishment being consulted on a cricket team's travel. Speaks volumes about where the real power lies. Hope the players can just play cricket in peace.
V
Vikram M
The financial implications are real. PCB can't afford to miss a World Cup, especially with the India game revenue. It was always going to be a performative protest. Just land in Colombo and get ready to play! 🏏
K
Karthik V
While I understand standing with an ally (Bangladesh), the ICC's decision is final. Sri Lanka is a great venue too. Let's not hold the players' preparation hostage. The Australian series first, then the World Cup. One step at a time.

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