Pakistan could also move towards boycotting the T20 World Cup if Bangladesh decide to pull out of the tournament over security concerns in India, according to multiple sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The claim was reported by Pakistan-based broadcaster Geo News on Thursday.
Sources indicated that if the International Cricket Council (ICC) refuses Bangladesh’s request to relocate its World Cup matches from India and Bangladesh ultimately withdraws, Pakistan may reconsider its own participation in the tournament.
Bangladesh have already made it clear that they are unwilling to play matches on Indian soil. Citing strained political relations between the two countries and concerns over player safety, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested that its fixtures be moved to co-host Sri Lanka.
The issue has been further fuelled by recent developments that have spilled into the cricketing sphere. Despite having a contract in place with Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming IPL, Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the squad amid protests in India. In response, IPL broadcasts were halted in Bangladesh, while the BCB intensified its push for a venue change for its World Cup matches.
At its most recent Board meeting, the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s application, stating that the team must either travel to India to take part in the tournament or face being replaced. The global governing body maintained that changing venues in the absence of any credible security threat would create a dangerous precedent for future ICC events.
Bangladesh are now faced with two stark choices: withdraw their demand and participate in the World Cup in India, or pull out of the tournament altogether. The Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on 7 February.
Under the current fixture list, Bangladesh, placed in Group C, are due to play their first three matches in Kolkata—against West Indies on 7 February, Italy on 9 February and England on 14 February. Their final group match is scheduled for 17 February against Nepal in Mumbai.
