Overview:
Pakistan is scheduled to host Australia for three T20s next week before both teams are scheduled to fly to Colombo for the World Cup.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi criticized the ICC for “double standards” by not shifting Bangladesh’s games to Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will play its games in Sri Lanka because of political tensions with India.
Pakistan has yet to announce its World Cup squad, and Naqvi said a final decision on the team’s participation will be made after talking to the government.
“Our stance (on World Cup participation) will be what the government of Pakistan instructs me,” he said. “The prime minister is not in Pakistan right now. When he returns, I’ll be able to give you our final decision. It’s the government’s decision. We obey them, not the ICC.”
Naqvi said the ICC did an injustice to Bangladesh.
“You can’t have double standards. You can’t say for one country (India) they can do whatever they want and for the others to have to do the complete opposite,” he said. “That’s why we’ve taken this stand and made clear that Bangladesh has had an injustice done to it. They should play in the World Cup; they are a major stakeholder in cricket.”
Naqvi said if the government blocked Pakistan from playing in the World Cup, “then maybe the ICC will bring in a 22nd team (after Scotland). It’s up to the government.”
Pakistan is scheduled to host Australia for three T20s next week before both teams are scheduled to fly to Colombo for the World Cup.