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Pakistan Clears India T20 World Cup Clash, But Protest Looms

The Pakistan government has approved its national team's participation against India in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Colombo. The decision followed a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Despite the approval, sources indicate the team may stage a protest, such as wearing black armbands, to show solidarity with Bangladesh. The PCB has also been directed to formally write to the ICC regarding the Bangladesh venue issue.

Key Points: Pakistan to Play India in T20 WC, May Protest

  • Govt approval after PCB-PM meet
  • Final decision due by Monday
  • Potential protest via black armbands
  • Support for Bangladesh Cricket Board
  • PCB to write to ICC
3 min read

T20 WC: 'Pakistan will play India match but..' Sources after Naqvi meets PM Sharif

Pakistan govt approves team for India match in T20 World Cup after PCB chief meets PM. Team may wear black armbands in solidarity with Bangladesh.

"Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister... he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. - Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi"

New Delhi, Jan 26

The Pakistan Government has given a go-ahead to the National team to play against India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Colombo. Sources said the decision was arrived at after a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Monday.

Though PCB chairman Naqvi wrote in a social media post that a final decision on this matter will be announced by Friday or Monday, sources told IANS that Pakistan will play India in the T20 World Cup.

"Pakistan Cricket Board, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, met with Prime Minister Mohsin Naqvi, briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the ICC T-20 World Cup and the current situation regarding the Bangladesh Cricket Board," a source told IANS on Monday.

There were reports that Pakistan are likely to boycott their match against India if not the entire tournament to show solidarity with Bangladesh, who have been replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup schedule after they refused to travel to India for their matches citing security fears.

"Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC Matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday," Naqvi wrote in a post on X after his meeting.

Though the Pakistan government has given its nod to play the ICC T20 World Cup and India match, reports said they could make some form of protest before that.

"The team could wear black armbands in the match or issue a statement in support of Bangladesh before it," sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).

Naqvi is also the Interior Minister in the Pakistan government, thus the second-in-command after PM Sharif, and by leaving the decision to him and the PCB, the Pakistan government is hoping to pile on the pressure on the ICC.

Sources also told IANS that PM Sharif has also directed the PCB to write a letter to the ICC on the Bangladesh issue. Pakistan is the only board among the top affiliated national associations to come out in support of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) during the ICC board meeting at which the global governing body for cricket decided to reject Bangladesh's request for a venue change.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The drama around this match is more intense than a soap opera. Black armbands? Statements? Just focus on the cricket. Bangladesh's issue with security is their concern, but dragging it into the World Cup is unfair to the tournament and the fans.
A
Arjun K
Good decision. But this constant "will they, won't they" is tiresome. PCB and their government use this match for political posturing every single time. As an Indian fan, I just want to see a good contest. Let the bat and ball do the talking.
P
Priyanka N
Respectfully, I think the ICC should have been more considerate of Bangladesh's security concerns. If a national board feels its players are unsafe, that's serious. Pakistan supporting them is the right thing to do in principle, even if their methods seem like a stunt.
V
Vikram M
All this tamasha just before the match! My friends and I have already planned a big screen viewing party. Just announce it and be done with it. India will win anyway, so let's get on with the game! 😄
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Karthik V
The meeting between the PCB chief (who is also Interior Minister) and the PM shows this is purely a political decision, not a cricketing one. It's always like this. Hope our team stays focused and doesn't get distracted by the noise from across the border.

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