Mumbai: Pakistan’s participation in next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup now depends on the government’s clearance, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said, following Bangladesh’s ouster from the tournament over security concerns in India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had approached the government after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, following Bangladesh’s refusal to play their matches in India.
“Whether we play in the T20 World Cup or not, the decision will be taken by the government,” Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, said in Lahore on Saturday. “Our Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is currently out of the country. When he returns, we will take advice from him. The government’s decision will be final and binding, and if they say no, the ICC may invite another team.”
Naqvi also said the PCB has contingency plans. “We have alternate plans A, B, and C, which we can use when the time comes. We have done this before during the Champions Trophy, so nothing new for us, and we know how to deal with such matters,” he added.
Despite the ICC Board rejecting Bangladesh’s request to relocate their matches from India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stood firm. The request came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India expelled Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders due to the ongoing geopolitical situation.
The ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee denied Bangladesh’s plea and replaced them with Scotland, the next-ranked team.
Naqvi criticised the ICC for what he called “injustice to Bangladesh.” “Bangladesh is a big stakeholder, and they have been unfairly treated in this case. I maintained this in Wednesday’s meeting as well, and their stance involves many factors which I will explain when the situation arises,” he said.
He further questioned the ICC for allegedly favouring India. “One country is dictating terms. When the ICC changed venues for Pakistan and India in their favour, why was the same not done for Bangladesh?” Naqvi asked.
With IANS inputs