Pakistan Aimed to Earn Bangladesh Global Respect
In a recent statement, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed that the country’s primary goal during its standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) was to secure global respect for Bangladesh. This comment follows the ICC’s decision to refrain from penalizing the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup matches held in India.
ICC’s Resolution and Hosting Rights
The ICC has officially conferred hosting rights on Bangladesh for an upcoming event scheduled between 2028 and 2031. This decision aligns with the PCB’s efforts to support Bangladesh’s cricketing stature internationally.
Background of the Standoff
Bangladesh’s withdrawal stemmed from concerns raised by their government over security issues related to playing in India. The situation escalated after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) removed key player Mustafizur Rehman from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
PCB’s Struggle for Justice
Naqvi stated, “We didn’t keep any condition in our negotiations other than Bangladesh.” He emphasized that Pakistan’s only intention was to address the perceived injustices faced by Bangladesh cricket. After an ICC Board vote, Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup, which underscored the need for reform and recognition.
Accusations Against ICC
- Naqvi condemned the ICC’s decision as an instance of “double standards”.
- He asserted that correcting this injustice was Pakistan’s motivation behind their initial threat to boycott matches against India.
Reflecting on the outcome, Naqvi noted, “You’ve seen whatever Bangladesh wanted, it’s been accepted.” He reiterated that the PCB’s actions were solely focused on supporting Bangladesh, and no personal interests were involved in the negotiations. With the acceptance of Bangladesh’s demands, the PCB has decided to continue participating in international matches.
