The Pakistan Cricket Board has already made it clear that it supports the government's position and would go by its advice even if a rematch against India crops up during the knockout stage.
Key Points
- Pakistan decided to boycott its T20 World Cup group-stage match against India in Colombo on February 15 after Bangladesh were withdrawn from the tournament.
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said they decided to boycott the India match after careful assessment.
- A livid ICC has warned PCB of serious consequences if it fails to show up for their match against India.
Calling Pakistan's boycott of their T20 World Cup match against India an "appropriate decision, the country's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that it was 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 were replaced by Scotland for refusing to play its games in India on account of "security concerns".
"We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup 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 in Karachi.
"We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision. We are with Bangladesh," he added.
'Thank You Pakistan,' says Bangladesh
In response, Bangladesh sports advisor 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 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.
Decision to drop Bangladesh not fair: Pakistan
Pakistan Cricket Board has already made it clear that it supports the government's position and would go by its advice even if a rematch against India crops up during the knockout stage.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had stated that the decision to drop Bangladesh was not fair and their security concerns should have been addressed.
The ICC's security assessment of Indian venues had placed the threat perception for Bangladesh in the low to moderate category.
Bangladesh's refusal to travel to India for its share of matches came after its pacer Mustafizur Rahman was ousted from the IPL on BCCI's instructions.
The Indian Board did not specify the reasons but it came amid increased attacks on Hindus there.
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