Backing Bangladesh is fine but…THIS former Pakistan legend make bold statement amid ongoing tensions, name is..
As uncertainty continues over Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, a chorus of former cricketers and ex-board officials has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to put national interests first and ensure the team takes the field in the ICC event.
The PCB has delayed a final call after Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi setting Friday or Monday as the deadline to confirm Pakistan’s participation. But the hesitation hasn’t gone down well with some of the game’s most respected voices, who believe staying away from the World Cup would do more harm than good to Pakistan cricket.
Former Test captain Mohammad Hafeez was clear in his stance, saying the PCB must send the team to the World Cup. His view was echoed by former PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood and ex-board secretary Arif Ali Abbasi, both of whom warned against letting solidarity turn into self-inflicted damage.
Abbasi said supporting Bangladesh was understandable, but questioned what Pakistan would actually gain by pulling out of the tournament.
“I can understand Pakistan supporting Bangladesh, but what purpose will PCB achieve by not sending its team apart from spoiling relations with the ICC and other member boards?” Abbasi asked.
Having served on the PCB during the era of Jagmohan Dalmiya and IS Bindra, Abbasi also pointed to the wider consequences, especially for co-host Sri Lanka.
“What about our relations with Sri Lanka? Obviously Sri Lanka will suffer losses if Pakistan doesn’t go, as all our matches are scheduled there, including games against India,” he said.
Khalid Mahmood described Pakistan’s backing of Bangladesh as principled and commendable, but stressed the need for a practical approach.
“We have to remember that except for Pakistan, no other board supported Bangladesh’s demand to move matches from India. I understand Bangladesh’s stance, but the reality is that no one backed them at the ICC meeting,” Mahmood noted.
Former Test batter and ex-chief selector and head coach Mohsin Khan also urged the PCB to focus squarely on Pakistan cricket.
“We have issues with India, but all our matches are being played in Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that reports suggested the Bangladesh Cricket Board may not even challenge the ICC’s decision.
“So on what grounds will the PCB not send its team to the World Cup? It will be bad for our cricket,” Mohsin Khan cautioned.
Former captains Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf struck a more measured tone, advising the PCB to consider all angles carefully, while still underlining how crucial major tournaments are for the team and its players.
“I personally would like to see Pakistan compete in the World Cup. We have some good players, and our cricket needs to see the team performing in big events,” Inzamam said.
Haroon Rasheed, former Test batter and a veteran administrator who has served as head coach and chief selector, summed up the broader sentiment.
“We supported Bangladesh, and that’s a good thing. It was a principled stance. But now it’s also time to look at our own cricketing interests,” he said.
With the deadline approaching, pressure is clearly mounting on the PCB to take a call that balances principle with pragmatism. For many former players and officials, the message is simple: standing by Bangladesh matters, but not at the cost of Pakistan missing the world stage.