New Delhi, Feb 10: BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday lauded the International Cricket Council (ICC) for finding what he called a “very good solution” that led Pakistan to withdraw its boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India.
The much-anticipated India–Pakistan clash, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, will now be played as planned after the Pakistan government, following persuasion from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, decided to revoke its boycott call.
“I would like to thank the ICC chairman Jay Shah and other office-bearers on behalf of the BCCI for finding a very good solution. After discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and after hearing all sides, this decision was taken,” Shukla told reporters.
Calling the decision crucial for the game, he said, “This is very important for cricket. Cricket must go on, and the World Cup will now be a big success. This is a major achievement for the ICC. Even the Bangladesh Cricket Board has praised the ICC for listening to all sides and taking a balanced decision in everyone’s interest.”
“Ultimately, cricket is the most important thing for everyone. International cricket matters to all,” added Shukla, who is also a Congress leader.
Pakistan’s withdrawal from the boycott became evident after Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam issued a statement in Dhaka urging Pakistan to play the match in the larger interest of the sport.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also received a call from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who appealed to him to allow the team to take the field. The government decision followed a briefing by Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi to Sharif on his discussions with the ICC.
The ICC, meanwhile, made certain concessions by deciding not to impose any penalty on Bangladesh, which had been forced out of the World Cup after refusing to play in India citing security concerns.
Pakistan’s initial decision to boycott the India match was taken in support of Bangladesh after the latter was replaced by Scotland in the tournament lineup.(Agencies)
