Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan believes Pakistan’s questionable participation in the next T20 World Cup is “utter nonsense”. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently expressed its concern with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Bangladesh’s exclusion from the competition.
Irfan Pathan said it was unnecessary for the PCB to stray from the ICC’s strategy of playing all matches in Sri Lanka.
“Nonsense! Nonsense! This is absolutely utter nonsense from Pakistan. If you have agreed to a hybrid model before and to play in Sri Lanka, then why create this situation now? It is nothing other than utter nonsense,” shared Irfan, as quoted by Revsportz.
Bangladesh had declined the invitation to attend the major event in India due to security concerns. The ICC conducted a thorough investigation into the case and discovered no real danger. As the BCB’s stance remained unchanged, the administrative body eventually replaced Bangladesh with Scotland. The PCB was the only board to back Bangladesh’s stand. The board then intimated that their own involvement would be contingent on the final decision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Pakistan already declared their team in the event that will be held in February and March. They are however not confirmed to take part. PCB chairperson Mohsin Naqvi has already held an audience with Sharif, and it is reported that the Men in Green can lose the match with India on February 15 in Colombo or even the whole tournament.
Naqvi has just outlined the position of Bangladesh as being principled. He as well charged ICC with the application of two standards. Quite on the contrary, other PCB officials and ex-cricketers, such as Mohammad Hafeez and Inzamam-ul-Haq have threatened to withdraw giving the country negative publicity and an unnecessary financial strain. The reports have indicated that the ICC has given the threat to the Pakistan cricket board that failure to participate in the competition will bear severe consequences.
