'Stop the World Cup': Pakistan urged to boycott T20 WC in support of Bangladesh

Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif has called connected the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to instrumentality a hard stance and boycott the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup, urging it to basal enarthrosis to enarthrosis with Bangladesh amid the ongoing scheduling and information dispute. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing the menace of being excluded from the 20-team tourney if it refuses to question to India, citing information concerns. On Wednesday, the ICC made its presumption clear, stating that the archetypal docket would stay unchanged and that Bangladesh’s petition to relocate its matches to Sri Lanka would not beryllium entertained. The BCB has been fixed a 24-hour model to consult with its authorities and corroborate whether the squad volition participate.

With tensions simmering betwixt the ICC and the BCB, Latif said this was the close infinitesimal for Pakistan to situation what helium described arsenic the prevailing cricketing powerfulness operation by withdrawing from the tournament. Recent reports successful Pakistani media suggest the PCB has already expressed solidarity with Bangladesh, with the board’s enactment adjacent pausing the nationalist team’s World Cup preparations portion awaiting clarity connected the situation.

“If Pakistan and India don’t happen, 50 per cent of your World Cup is gone. This is simply a large accidental to situation the existing cricket order,” Latif said connected the YouTube transmission CaughtBehindShow. “Pakistan should accidental they basal with Bangladesh and garbage to play the T20 World Cup. This is the clip to instrumentality a stand. You request a beardown bosom to bash it,” helium added. Latif besides took purpose astatine the ICC’s handling of the issue, questioning its refusal to see Bangladesh’s petition to determination matches to Sri Lanka.

He pointed retired that akin adjustments had been made successful the past erstwhile India and Pakistan declined to circuit each different for planetary events. “It doesn’t consciousness similar a bully decision. Today, the ICC says determination is nary information to Bangladeshi players successful India. No bureau successful the satellite tin accidental determination is nary information — however tin the ICC accidental that?” Latif said. “Even successful the astir unafraid places, nary 1 tin springiness specified a guarantee. Hopefully, thing happens to immoderate team.” He stressed that Pakistan holds important leverage successful the existent script and should usage it decisively. “The trump paper is inactive with Pakistan. Bangladesh’s stance is right. Pakistan won’t get a amended accidental than this. Pakistan not playing would beryllium similar stopping the World Cup. Pakistan is the key,” Latif said. “Yes, Pakistan could endure successful the future. There could beryllium sanctions if Pakistan refuses to play ICC events.

But determination is nary usage of conscionable words — present is the clip to amusement who you support.” The Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to beryllium held successful India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, with matches dispersed crossed 8 venues. Bangladesh person been placed successful Group C alongside England, Nepal, Italy and the West Indies. Pakistan, meanwhile, are drawn successful Group A with India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA.