Article:
In a shocking move, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has been left red-faced after several high-profile cricket personalities, including a Member of Parliament from the Hindu nationalist outfit Shiv Sena (UBT), Pranaya Chaturvedi, expressed their support for Pakistan’s decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India.
Pranaya Chaturvedi, speaking to Indian media, said that Pakistan is ready to face the consequences of its decision, including paying a penalty and facing other repercussions as threatened by the Indian Sports Minister. She added that the Indian Sports Minister and the BCCI’s statement is a “smoke bomb” that suggests that even the strongest and wealthiest cricket governing body, the ICC, cannot force India to play the match.
In a significant development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has allowed the national cricket team to participate in the T20 World Cup, but with a twist. In a show of solidarity with Bangladesh, the Pakistani team will not take the field against India on February 15 and will abstain from the match.
This decision follows a meeting between PCB Chairman, Musa Naqvi, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday evening. The ICC Under-19 World Cup was won by India, while the Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship final was played between Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan and Iran’s Shahin Sabzi in Qatar.
In other cricket news, several veteran cricketers have expressed their excitement about the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will begin on February 7. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has written to the Pakistan Cricket Board, expressing concern over the impact of Pakistan’s boycott on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
Pakistan’s former captain, Shoaib Malik, said that the cricket season is in full swing, and the subject of sledging is also a hot topic. In a humorous video, Pakistani cricketers were shown mimicking Aamer Ahmed’s style.
The team’s captain, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the team is not under pressure to perform well in the first few matches. Cricket Australia has also confirmed that there is no pressure on Pakistan to perform well in the tournament.
Pakistan’s Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Bazid Khan, and Rameez Raja will be commentating on the World Cup. Former Indian captain Kapil Dev said that such decisions are made under the government and cricket board’s policy.
The T20 World Cup is expected to be a thrilling tournament, with several veteran cricketers taking the field. The PCB has decided to cancel all the team’s fitness training, focusing on the young talent instead.
The PCB has also decided to cancel the team’s cultural night, which was scheduled to take place on Monday evening, in solidarity with the families of the victims of the Islamabad bombing. The government has also announced that a cultural night, originally planned for Tuesday, will be cancelled.
The Inspector General of Islamabad, speaking to the media, said that the IG’s cousin is also among the martyrs. Thomas De Nino said that a two-sided agreement with a single nuclear power is not acceptable, citing China’s lack of transparency and control over its nuclear arsenal.
The Sindh government has also cancelled a cultural night, originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, in solidarity with the families of the victims of the Islamabad bombing.
