Solidarity in cricket: Bangladesh advisor Asif Nazrul voices profound gratitude to PM Shehbaz Sharif after Pakistan’s decision to boycott its T20 World Cup game against India—purely to back Bangladesh’s sidelining.
Through a Thursday Facebook update, Nazrul amplified Sharif’s cabinet words: ‘Pakistan boycotts India in protest of Bangladesh’s ouster. Thoughtful choice—no room for politics in sport. Full solidarity.’
Building on prior notice, Pakistan confirmed skipping the February 15 Colombo encounter. ICC’s Sunday retort was unequivocal, slamming partial engagement as a violation of universal participation principles.
The body called for negotiated fixes, noting that ad-hoc opt-outs clash with expectations for complete schedules in premier events. Long-term risks to Pakistan’s cricket ecosystem were flagged starkly.
Flashback: Security fears prompted Bangladesh to ground its squad, ushering Scotland in. Denied a Sri Lankan base, tensions boiled over, prompting Pakistan’s high-profile intervention.
This development layers politics atop athleticism, with Sharif’s stance rallying regional support. The cricket fraternity debates precedents set, as the World Cup evolves into a geopolitical arena.