We’re with Bangladesh: Pakistan PM on World Cup India boycott
Ousted Bangla player signed for Pak league
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has termed country’s boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India an “appropriate decision” and said it a “considered stance” to support Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s cricket team has been told by the government to skip the February 15 game in Colombo after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland for refusing to play its games in India on account of “security concerns”.
“We have taken a very clear stand that we won’t play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field,” Sharif stated after a government meeting here.
“We should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision. We are with Bangladesh,” he added.
In response, Bangladesh sports adviser Asif Nazrul posted “Thank You, Pakistan” on his official Facebook page, while quoting Sharif’s statement.
A livid ICC has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of serious consequences if it fails to show up for the high-profile match, which is a money magnet at the big event for sponsors, broadcasters and advertisers.
The world body has hoped 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, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of”.
Pakistan has reached Colombo for its other preliminary engagements, starting with a game against the Netherlands on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars on Thursday announced the direct signing of Mustafizur Rahman for Pakistan Super League Season 11 following the release of the Bangladesh pacer by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.
Rahman was removed from the KKR roster on BCCI instructions, triggering a controversial sequence of events that led to the withdrawal of Bangladesh national team from the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup and selective pullout of Pakistan from the marquee fixture against India.
