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Pakistan's T20 World Cup Participation in Doubt as Kit Launch Cancelled

The Pakistan Cricket Board has cancelled the unveiling of the national team's kit for the upcoming T20 World Cup, heightening uncertainty over their participation in the tournament. The stand-off stems from the ICC's expulsion of Bangladesh after they failed to confirm participation over security fears in India. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is seeking final guidance from the government, with a decision expected soon. Pakistan risks significant financial losses if they pull out, despite playing their matches on the neutral venue of Sri Lanka.

Key Points: PCB Cancels Kit Launch, Casts Doubt on T20 World Cup

  • Kit unveiling cancelled
  • Participation doubts enhanced
  • Government to decide
  • Financial losses feared
  • BCB expelled, Scotland in
2 min read

PCB cancels T20 World Cup kit unveiling, keeps alive suspense over team's participation

Uncertainty grows as PCB cancels team kit unveiling, keeping suspense alive over Pakistan's participation in the India-Sri Lanka hosted T20 World Cup.

"The final decision on Pakistan's participation will be taken by the government through the foreign office, likely on Monday, - sources told telecomasia.net"

Mumbai, Jan 31

The uncertainty over Pakistan's participation in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup increased as the country's cricket board on Saturday cancelled the unveiling of team's kit for the mega event, a news report has claimed.

The kit was to be unveiled before the second T20I against Australia in Lahore on Saturday but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now cancelled the event with no clarity over when it will be done, Telecom Asia Sport said in a report.

"Pakistan team's kit for the upcoming T20 World Cup was due to be unveiled after the toss of the second Twenty20 international against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium but it has been cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances," sources told www.telecomasia.net.

This further enhanced the doubts over team's participation in the T20 World Cup to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka as a protest over Bangladesh's expulsion from the event.

"Pakistan team is also due to fly to Colombo early Monday in the same Air Lanka Flight as Australia but that too is not conformed," the report said quoting sources.

Pakistan will face huge financial losses in case they pull out of the event as they are already playing on the neutral venues of Sri Lanka which meant they do not have any security concerns. Many current and former players have the board against pulling out of the World Cup but PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is unrelenting in his plans. He has recently met and sought advice of the country's Prime Minister and President on this issue.

"The final decision on Pakistan's participation will be taken by the government through the foreign office, likely on Monday," sources told www.telecomasia.net.

Last week, Naqvi met Pakistan prime minister Shahbaz Sharif to take his advice on team's participation. After the meeting he tweeted a final decision will be taken either on Friday or Monday.

The stand-off came after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh's demands of relocating their matches from India to Sri Lanka over security fears. The ICC conducted an independent review of security in India and told the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)that it's doubts were unfounded. The BCB failed to confirm the team's participation within the deadline set by ICC and was subsequently replaced by Scotland.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As an Indian cricket fan, I really hope they come. A World Cup without Pakistan feels incomplete. The India-Pakistan match is the biggest event in cricket. Let the game be above all this. The players have worked so hard.
A
Aman W
Honestly, the ICC did the right thing with Bangladesh. An independent review cleared security in India. If every team starts making demands based on unfounded fears, how will any multi-nation event happen? Scotland got a lucky break though!
S
Sarah B
Cancelling a kit launch is such a dramatic way to show uncertainty. It feels very staged. The financial losses for PCB will be massive if they pull out. It's not a wise move for their cricket's future.
V
Vikram M
Their team is already playing in Sri Lanka, which is a co-host. So the "security concern" angle for not playing in India doesn't hold water. This is clearly about backing Bangladesh's expelled position. But is it worth sabotaging your own World Cup?
K
Karthik V
Feel bad for the Pakistani players. Their board and government are using them as pawns. Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi... these guys live for World Cups. I respect Mohsin Naqvi for standing with an ally, but he's letting down his own team and fans. A respectful criticism from a fellow cricket lover.

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