NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketers and ex-board officials have cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against boycotting the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh, warning that such a move could damage Pakistan cricket and strain relations with the world governing body.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The PCB has deferred its final decision on participation after Bangladesh were removed from the tournament, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi setting Friday or Monday as the deadline to either confirm Pakistan’s participation or pull out. The uncertainty has sparked strong reactions from former players, many of whom believe support for Bangladesh should not come at the cost of Pakistan’s own cricketing interests.
As per a PTI report, former Pakistan Test captain Muhammad Hafeez clearly backed participation, insisting the team must be sent to the World Cup. Former PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood and ex-board secretary Arif Ali Abbasi also found little logic in withdrawing from the event.“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 member boards,” Abbasi said, stressing that the PCB must prioritise Pakistan cricket.Abbasi, who served during the tenure of influential administrators like Jagmohan Dalmiya and I.S. Bindra, also raised logistical and financial concerns. “What about our relations with Sri Lanka? Obviously Sri Lanka will suffer losses if Pakistan doesn’t go as all our matches are in Sri Lanka, including matches with India,” he pointed out.
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Mahmood described the PCB’s stance as “laudable” but urged pragmatism. “We have to remember that except for Pakistan, no other cricket board supported the Bangladesh demand to move matches from India. I can understand the stance taken by the Bangladesh board but it is also a fact no one supported them in the ICC meeting,” he said.Former Test batsman, chief selector and head coach Mohsin Khan echoed similar views. “We have issues with India but we are playing all our matches in Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that reports suggested the Bangladesh Board would not appeal the ICC decision. “So then on what grounds will the PCB not send its team to the World Cup? It will be bad for our cricket,” he cautioned.Former captains Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf urged the PCB to weigh all factors carefully. “I personally would like to see Pakistan compete in the World Cup. We have some good players and our cricket needs to see our team doing well in big events,” Inzamam said.Former Test batsman and ex-chief selector Haroon Rasheed summed up the mood: “We supported Bangladesh, which is a good thing. We took a principled stance, but now is also the time to look at our own cricket interests.”
