ISLAMABAD (MNN); Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that he has briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the International Cricket Council (ICC) matter, adding that a final decision would be taken either on Friday or next Monday.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Naqvi met the prime minister in Islamabad earlier in the day and provided a detailed briefing on the situation surrounding the ICC T20 World Cup and the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Later, Naqvi, who also serves as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, described the meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz as productive.
In a statement, Naqvi said he informed the prime minister about the ICC issue and was directed to pursue a resolution while keeping all options open. He added that it was agreed the final decision would be made either on Friday or next Monday.
The development comes amid growing uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup after the ICC decided to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament scheduled to begin next month.
Bangladesh were replaced on Saturday after they declined to tour India, citing security concerns stemming from strained political relations between the two neighbouring countries.
The ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift their matches to co-host Sri Lanka, stating that changes to the schedule were not feasible so close to the February 7 start of the tournament.
Just hours before the ICC announced its decision, Naqvi had said Bangladesh was being treated unfairly and should be allowed to participate in the World Cup. At the time, he had stated that Pakistan’s participation had not yet been finalised, noting that a decision would be taken after the prime minister’s return to the country.
Meanwhile, the International Cricketers’ Association expressed regret over Bangladesh’s absence from the tournament, calling it a disappointing moment for the sport.
World Cricketers’ Association Chief Executive Tom Moffat said the withdrawal of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, and the resulting absence of a major cricketing nation from the sport’s premier T20 event, was a sad moment that required serious reflection by all stakeholders.
