ICC T20 World Cup: The Pakistan Cricket Board is challenging the International Cricket Council and that has not gone down well with their very own. Former PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood and former secretary Arif Ali Abbasi have rejected the idea of the current Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB over boycotting the India game.
#NationAboveCricket | In the wake of Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam Terror attacks should India play Pakistan? As PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi threatens a #T20WorldCup boycott in "solidarity" with Bangladesh, tonight’s debate asks if cricket is above nation?
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Abbasi claimed that it is one thing to support Bangladesh, but that does not mean they boycott the tournament as that could hurt cricket Pakistan.
“I can understand Pakistan supporting Bangladesh, but what purpose will PCB achieve by not sending its team, apart from spoiling relations with the International Cricket Council and other member boards?” Abbasi said.
“What about our relations with Sri Lanka? Obviously Sri Lanka will suffer losses if Pakistan doesn’t go, as all our matches — including the one against India — are scheduled there,” he added.
On the other hand, Mahmood urged the board to act cautiously while dealing with the ICC.
“We have to remember that except for Pakistan, no other cricket board supported Bangladesh’s demand to move matches out of India. I can understand Bangladesh’s stance, but it is also a fact that they found no support at the ICC meeting,” Mahmood said.
In all probability, they will not as they do not have solid grounds to challenge the ICC.
Naqvi has said that the final call over their participation would be announced by Friday. He said this after meeting the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Pakistan are scheduled to play India in Colombo on February 15.
