New Delhi: Despite ongoing uncertainties regarding participation, the Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to fly to Colombo on Monday, February 2, ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Sources informed Telecom Asia Sports that the team has already booked a flight from Lahore to Colombo via Air Lanka, where they are set to face Australia in a three-match T20 International series starting Thursday in Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to clarify the team’s involvement in the World Cup by Friday.
PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi has expressed doubts over Pakistan’s participation in the tournament, which runs from February 7 to March 8, especially following Bangladesh’s exclusion. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request to shift their matches against India from Sri Lanka due to security concerns, leading to Bangladesh’s boycott.
On Monday, Naqvi met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad to discuss the team’s participation. Sources revealed that while the Prime Minister supports Bangladesh’s stance, he advised against boycotting the World Cup to avoid financial and reputational losses.
Furthermore, Naqvi consulted with President Asif Ali Zardari and military officials before meeting former PCB chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja, who both advocate for Pakistan’s participation. They also recommended not boycotting the matches against India.
Players have been instructed to maintain a positive outlook regarding the World Cup. Some players from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have even packed their belongings in anticipation of staying abroad for over a month.
The T20 series against Australia starting in Lahore on Thursday will be crucial as the team prepares for the mega event amid these complex circumstances.
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