Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described his country’s decision to skip the T20 World Cup match against India as an appropriate and considered stance in solidarity with Bangladesh. The government directed Pakistan’s team to forgo the February 15 fixture in Colombo after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland following its refusal to play matches in India over security concerns.
Sharif said the move was intended to keep politics off the sports field and to stand firmly with Bangladesh. Bangladesh sports adviser Asif Nazrul responded by posting a thank-you message on his official Facebook page, citing the prime minister’s remarks.
The International Cricket Council has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board that serious consequences could follow if Pakistan fails to appear for the high-profile match, stressing the fixture’s importance to sponsors, broadcasters and advertisers and urging the PCB to weigh the long-term implications for cricket domestically and globally.
Pakistan’s squad has travelled to Colombo and will play its other preliminary matches, beginning with a game against the Netherlands on Saturday.
Separately, Lahore Qalandars confirmed the direct signing of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for Pakistan Super League season 11 after he was released by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. Rahman’s removal from the KKR roster, reportedly on BCCI instructions, contributed to a chain of events that culminated in Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the ICC T20 World Cup and Pakistan’s selective boycott of the India fixture.
