Pak-India World Cup game still alive

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during which the Sri Lankan leader urged Pakistan to play its high-profile cricket match against India scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka on February 15.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, President Dissanayake highlighted the long-standing and resilient cricketing relationship between the two countries, recalling Pakistan’s continued support for Sri Lankan cricket during periods of severe security challenges.
The Sri Lankan president noted that Pakistan stood firmly with Sri Lanka during times of terrorism and unrest and that the Pakistan cricket team continued touring Sri Lanka despite security risks, demonstrating commitment that went beyond sporting considerations.
Prime Minister Sharif welcomed the sentiments expressed by the Sri Lankan president and acknowledged Sri Lanka’s reciprocal support for Pakistan during its own difficult periods, particularly when international teams were reluctant to tour the country.
He said Sri Lanka played an important role in sustaining international cricket in Pakistan by continuing tours when security concerns were at their peak.
Sharif also referred to Sri Lanka’s recent decision not to cancel its tour of Pakistan, describing it as a memorable gesture for the Pakistani people and cricket fans.
The prime minister informed President Dissanayake that Pakistan would convey its final decision regarding the Pakistan-India match in the T20 World Cup after completing internal consultations.
The conversation underscored the close diplomatic and sporting ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with both leaders reaffirming the importance of mutual support during challenging times.
Meanwhile Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have requested Pakistan to play their World Cup game against India on February 15.
This is the same BCB for which Pakistan fought not only at the ICC Executive Board but also latter decided to forfeit the February 15 show against India.
BCB in its press release said: “BCB expresses gratitude to PCB, ICC and all involved. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) extends its sincere appreciation to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC) and all involved for their positive roles in trying to overcome recent challenges,” BCB press release said.
“In particular, the BCB wishes to express its profound and heartfelt gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi, his Board and the cricket fans of Pakistan. Throughout this period, the PCB has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity,” it said.
BCB President Md Aminul Islam said: “We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish. “Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket eco system.”
Aminul Islam had visited Lahore on Sunday and had held a detailed meeting with the PCB chairman and then also attended the meeting involving Mohsin Naqvi and ICC Deputy chairman Imran Khawaja who had specifically rushed to Punjab capital to convince Naqvi, requesting him that they should end their boycott of India match as it would hit hard both ICC and the World Cup.
In the meeting with Khawaja PCB chief Naqvi had stressed that Bangladesh should be compensated for the huge loss after they were denied their due right to feature in the ICC T20 World Cup.
Khawaja assured that every effort would be made to compensate BCB.
The ICC Executive Board had voted 14-2 against BCB’s request that their World Cup matches should be relocated from India to Sri Lanka due to security issues.
Pakistan had voted Bangladesh in that meeting. ICC set a deadline for BCB to finalise whether they want to feature in the World Cup in India or not. Bangladesh government was firm, saying that it cannot allow its team to visit India due to security issues.
ICC then announced that Scotland would replace Bangladesh in the global event.
Naqvi had strongly criticized the ICC for double standards, casting a shadow over Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup.
ICC tasked Imran Khawaja to engage in dialogue with Naqvi as boycotting the entire World Cup would damage the global event beyond repair.
Pakistan’s government, following a few meetings of Naqvi with the premier Shahbaz Sharif, announced on February 1 through a social media statement that Pakistan would feature in the World Cup but it would not play against India its Group A game in Colombo on February 15.
ICC kept chasing PCB and eventually also sent its senior official Imran Khawaja to Lahore on Sunday who held a marathon meeting with the PCB chairman. In the meeting BCB chief Aminul Islam was also present.