Pakistan likely to withdraw boycott of T20 World Cup match against India

Pakistan is likely to withdraw its boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India after Bangladesh’s request. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said a decision will be announced soon, with ICC and BCB discussions continuing ahead of the February 15 clash

Lahore/Dhaka: Pakistan is set to withdraw its boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India after being urged to do so by Bangladesh, with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi saying on Monday that an announcement on the issue can be expected in the next 24 hours.

Acknowledging hectic parleys with the ICC, also involving his Bangladesh counterpart Aminul Islam, Naqvi said the PCB is waiting for a response from the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on certain matters. The game against India is scheduled to be held in Colombo on February 15.

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Media reports said Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also received a call from Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who urged him to withdraw the boycott. Geo News reported that Sharif assured Pakistan would play against India.

Naqvi, however, said it would take another day to reach a final decision.

“We have had discussions with them. It would not be right for me to make any comments right now. Once we get their response, we will decide. We will go back to the PM (Shehbaz Sharif) for advice once the ICC replies,” Naqvi told reporters in Lahore.

“An announcement will come tomorrow or day after tomorrow,” he said.

“We respect our guests and ICC came to our house so we respected them. At this point of time, we cannot say much as negotiations between the ICC and Bangladesh are ongoing. Bangladesh’s stance was valid so we had to back them,” he added.

Bangladesh have been ousted from the tournament for refusing to play in India citing security concerns.

BCB chief Islam issued a statement in Dhaka, expressing gratitude towards Pakistan for backing his country but requested that the team show up for the high-profile game for the greater good of the sport.

“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish,” Islam said.

“Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem,” he added.

Naqvi brushed aside suggestions that the PCB was under pressure due to ICC’s warning of punitive action.

“You know we are not ones to be afraid of these threats at all. Everyone knows our Field Marshal (Asim Munir). We are not worried about any sanctions,” he said.

According to PCB sources, Naqvi will brief Sharif later tonight or on Tuesday and request him to withdraw the boycott call.

It is understood that during his meeting with ICC deputy chair Imran Khawaja on Sunday, Naqvi raised demands including resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral cricket and a tri-series involving Bangladesh to offset BCB’s losses after their ouster.

While Indo-Pak bilateral cricket is not under ICC’s purview, the demand for a tri-series was rejected. India have not played a tri-nation tournament for more than a decade. However, the ICC might consider awarding the next men’s Under-19 World Cup to Bangladesh.

Sources said Naqvi also raised grievances during talks with Khawaja.

“He questioned Khawaja if the ICC would have kept quiet had the Pakistan team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy at the presentation from any Indian board official,” the source said.

The Asia Cup trophy lies locked at the Asian Cricket Council headquarters in Dubai after Naqvi, who currently heads the body, made it clear that only he would carry out the presentation formalities in full media glare.