Pakistan India T20 match to go ahead as per schedule

LAHORE   (  WEB  NEWS   )

The Pakistan and India clash at the T20 World Cup is set to go ahead as per schedule following a successful dialogue with the International Cricket Council delegation, sources confirmed to Tv channel  on Monday.

A formal request in this regard has been made to the Government of Pakistan, confirmed PCB’s spokesman Amir Mir.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in a statement, extended its sincere appreciation to their Pakistani counterparts and wished its profound and heartfelt gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi for taking a firm stance.

“The BCB wishes to express its profound and heartfelt gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi, his Board and the cricket fans of Pakistan. Throughout this period, the PCB has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity,” read the statement.

BCB President Aminul Islam said: “We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish.”

“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 eco system.”

The decision was made following a successful meeting in Lahore with the ICC delegation led by Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja on Sunday.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Aminul Islam Bulbul was also present during the high-profile meeting.

The tournament was marred by an acrimonious political build‑up after Bangladesh were kicked out and Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A match.

However, a semi-final or final showdown between the uneasy South Asian neighbours was still a possibility.

“The India game is not in our control. It was the government’s decision and if we have to play them in the semi-final or the final, we will go back to them and act on their advice,” Agha had said.

Bangladesh refused to play in India, citing security concerns, as relations soured and were kicked out of Group C by the International Cricket Council, to be replaced by Scotland.

Pakistan backed Bangladesh’s plea to have their games moved to Sri Lanka.

The government in Islamabad cleared the national team to take part but ordered them not to play in the marquee group match against India on February 15.

“It’s sad Bangladesh are not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully, they will support us,” Agha said.

Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in multinational events.

They will face Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States in the group stage.

In case of forfeiting the game, the Men in Green would not only lose two points, but would have taken a big hit to their net run rate.

Even losing one of their group games to bad weather would make it difficult for Pakistan to qualify.