The Pakistan Cricket Board needs to maintain operational ties with the International Cricket Council because two former cricketers and two former board members have warned that this boycott will bring negative consequences for Pakistan cricket.
The PCB has decided to postpone its participation decision because Bangladesh lost its tournament spot which chairman Mohsin Naqvi said will lead to a resolution by Friday or Monday. The delay has triggered strong reactions from former players, many of whom argue that solidarity with Bangladesh should not come at the expense of Pakistan’s own cricketing interests.
Mohammad Hafeez who served as Pakistan Test captain has supported World Cup attendance because he believes Pakistan needs to send its team to the tournament according to a PTI report. The former PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood together with former board secretary Arif Ali Abbasi questioned the reasoning which supported the potential decision to withdraw from the match.
Abbasi said that Pakistan should support Bangladesh because our team withdrawal will damage Pakistan’s relationships with the ICC and other member boards. The PCB needs to make protecting Pakistan cricket its highest priority according to Abbasi.
Abbasi explained how the Sri Lanka matches which Pakistan scheduled will create both financial and logistical difficulties for the country. He explained that Sri Lanka would lose money because Pakistan scheduled all their matches to take place in Pakistan.
Mahmood described the PCB’s support for Bangladesh as “laudable” but he needed a practical solution to the situation. He pointed out that no other cricket board backed Bangladesh’s demand to shift matches from India during the ICC meeting, despite understanding Dhaka’s concerns.
Former Test batsman, chief selector and head coach Mohsin Khan echoed similar sentiments, noting that despite Pakistan’s political issues with India, the team is already set to play its matches in Sri Lanka. “If Bangladesh is not appealing the ICC decision, then on what grounds should Pakistan withdraw? It will be bad for our cricket,” he warned.
The former captains Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf requested the PCB to examine how its decision would impact various aspects of their organization. Inzamam stated that international tournaments will help Pakistan to develop as a team while building their players’ self-confidence. The players need to compete in major events because it helps our cricket team develop better when they play against top-level competition according to him.
Haroon Rasheed who worked as a Test batsman and Test chief selector explained that Pakistan already proved its point through its support of Bangladesh. “That was a principled stand. Now it is time to focus on what is best for Pakistan cricket,” he added.
