T20 World Cup: Bangladesh writes to PCB, urges Pakistan not to boycott India match in Colombo

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested Pakistan to take part in the T20 World Cup match against India, scheduled for Sunday, February 15, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul expressed gratitude to Pakistan for standing by Bangladesh after the latter withdrew from the tournament following the ICC’s refusal to relocate their matches out of India.

Thereafter, Pakistan’s government announced it would boycott the match against India, refusing to take the field as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh. Aminul, while acknowledging Pakistan’s position, said that considering the interests of the cricket ecosystem, it would be better for Pakistan to play the match on Sunday.

“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish,” Aminul said in a statement, released by the



BCB.

“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 ecosystem,” Aminul added.

Aminul was in Lahore, where the BCB president held a meeting with ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja and Pakistan’s Naqvi, as the sport’s governing body scrambled to contain a crisis threatening the integrity of the tournament schedule. The decision had put one of cricket’s marquee fixtures in jeopardy and raised questions about the influence of politics on sport.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the boycott, calling it “very considered” and intended to show unity with Bangladesh, while stressing that politics should not overshadow sport. His comments underline the government’s backing of the move amid growing concern from the global cricketing community.