Mumbai, January 22 – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has stood firm on hosting the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup matches in India as originally scheduled, leaving Pakistan in a state of disappointment. Bangladesh had requested a shift to Sri Lanka citing security concerns, but the global cricket body dismissed the appeal outright.
Sources close to the Pakistan Cricket Board indicate strong principled support for Bangladesh’s position. They draw parallels to their own experience where India’s insistence led to Pakistan’s matches being moved to Dubai from Pakistan. ‘It’s disheartening that the same logic wasn’t applied here,’ a source remarked, highlighting the perceived inconsistency.
Despite the frustration, Pakistan has no intentions of boycotting the tournament. Officials emphasize that playing on neutral venues already mitigates any security risks for them. ‘Boycotting isn’t an option; we’re committed to the event,’ the sources clarified, dismissing rumors fueled by social media speculation.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal echoed the sentiment, calling the ICC decision predictable. ‘Most ICC rulings favor India because of their revenue power,’ he told Telecom Asia Sport. Akmal referenced the Champions Trophy and the 2023 Asia Cup, both shifted to hybrid models under India’s influence.
He acknowledged the logistical challenges, noting the schedule was set long ago. The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, kicks off February 7 and runs until March 8. As tensions simmer, all eyes are on how this impacts team preparations and fan sentiments across the cricketing world.