Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has criticised the treatment of Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup, saying the team should be allowed to participate under any circumstances.
Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Naqvi said Bangladesh is being treated unfairly following their decision not to play in India during the tournament.
“The way Bangladesh is being handled because of their refusal to play in India is completely unjust,” he said, adding that he raised the issue at the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting.
On January 4, Bangladesh announced that, amid rising tensions with India and following the exclusion of their player Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, they would not travel to India to play their World Cup matches. The Bangladesh Cricket Board subsequently requested the ICC to move their matches to Sri Lanka, but the request was rejected.
Despite this, Bangladesh has maintained its stance, creating concerns that the team could be excluded from the tournament. Reports have also suggested that Scotland could replace Bangladesh.
Naqvi said, “Bangladesh is being treated unfairly. Double standards cannot continue. One country is allowed to make decisions freely, while another is forced to follow opposite rules. That is why we are standing in support of Bangladesh.”
He added, “Bangladesh is a key partner in international cricket, and they must be allowed to play in the World Cup. It is wrong to treat them this way.”
MMR/MHK