Pakistan’s cricket team will participate in the T20 World Cup, despite announcing the boycott of the match against India. The team will proceed with their schedule and travel to Sri Lanka as planned. On Sunday, Pakistan had announced that they would not participate in the T20 World Cup, citing the situation with India. However, after a meeting with the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, the PCB chairman, Mohsin Nawab, made a crucial decision regarding the team’s participation in the World Cup.
According to the ICC rules, if a team boycotts a match, it will be considered a forfeit, and the opposing team will be awarded four points. The Indian team will proceed with their schedule and participate in the match, despite Pakistan’s decision to boycott. The BCCI has confirmed that the Indian team will follow the ICC protocols and participate in the match, even if Pakistan does not show up.
The Indian team will arrive at the stadium on match day and wait for the match referee’s decision, regardless of the situation with Pakistan. The Indian team will perform their pre-match duties and training as per the ICC protocols. The Indian team has confirmed that they are fully prepared for the match and will ensure their presence at the stadium on match day.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to start on February 7, and Pakistan’s group includes India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The ICC U19 World Cup was won by India, while the Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship was won by Pakistan’s Asim Raza and Iran’s Shahin Sabzi.
In a related development, several senior players will participate in the T20 World Cup, including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Bazid Khan, and Ramiz Raja, who will provide commentary for the tournament. Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has stated that the decision to boycott the match is in line with the government and cricket board’s policy.
The Sri Lankan cricket board has written to the PCB, expressing concerns about the boycott and its impact on the tourism sector. The boycott has led to a significant number of fans canceling their hotel bookings. Shoaib Malik has stated that the cricket season is in full swing, and the subject of scheduling is also relevant.
In a separate incident, the Inspector General of Islamabad has confirmed that several victims of the recent blast in Islamabad were related to the IG. Thomas Nain has stated that a bilateral agreement with only one nuclear power is not suitable, as China’s nuclear arsenal lacks transparency, controls, and announcements.
The Sindh government has canceled a cultural night music program in solidarity with the victims of the Islamabad blast.
