‘Bad for cricket, don’t spoil ties’: Ex-Pakistan stars warn PCB against T20 WC boycott

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketers and ex-board officials person cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against boycotting the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup successful solidarity with Bangladesh, informing that specified a determination could harm Pakistan cricket and strain relations with the satellite governing body.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The PCB has deferred its last determination connected information aft Bangladesh were removed from the tournament, with president Mohsin Naqvi mounting Friday oregon Monday arsenic the deadline to either corroborate Pakistan’s information oregon propulsion out. The uncertainty has sparked beardown reactions from erstwhile players, galore of whom judge enactment for Bangladesh should not travel astatine the outgo of Pakistan’s ain cricketing interests.

As per a PTI report, erstwhile Pakistan Test skipper Muhammad Hafeez intelligibly backed participation, insisting the squad indispensable beryllium sent to the World Cup. Former PCB president Khalid Mahmood and ex-board caput Arif Ali Abbasi besides recovered small logic successful withdrawing from the event.“I tin recognize Pakistan supporting Bangladesh but what intent volition PCB execute by not sending its squad isolated from spoiling relations with the International Cricket Council and subordinate boards,” Abbasi said, stressing that the PCB indispensable prioritise Pakistan cricket.

Abbasi, who served during the tenure of influential administrators similar Jagmohan Dalmiya and I.S. Bindra, besides raised logistical and fiscal concerns. “What astir our relations with Sri Lanka? Obviously Sri Lanka volition endure losses if Pakistan doesn’t spell arsenic each our matches are successful Sri Lanka, including matches with India,” helium pointed out.

Mahmood described the PCB’s stance arsenic “laudable” but urged pragmatism. “We person to retrieve that but for Pakistan, nary different cricket committee supported the Bangladesh request to determination matches from India.

I tin recognize the stance taken by the Bangladesh committee but it is besides a information nary 1 supported them successful the ICC meeting,” helium said.Former Test batsman, main selector and caput manager Mohsin Khan echoed akin views. “We person issues with India but we are playing each our matches successful Sri Lanka,” helium said, adding that reports suggested the Bangladesh Board would not entreaty the ICC decision. “So past connected what grounds volition the PCB not nonstop its squad to the World Cup? It volition beryllium atrocious for our cricket,” helium cautioned.Former captains Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf urged the PCB to measurement each factors carefully. “I personally would similar to spot Pakistan vie successful the World Cup. We person immoderate bully players and our cricket needs to spot our squad doing good successful large events,” Inzamam said.Former Test batsman and ex-chief selector Haroon Rasheed summed up the mood: “We supported Bangladesh, which is simply a bully thing. We took a principled stance, but present is besides the clip to look astatine our ain cricket interests.”