The PCB has already expressed its concern to the ICC but the game’s governing body appears reluctant to shift the World Twenty20 from Bangladesh. PHOTO: ESPNCRICINFO
KARACHI: Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup and International Cricket Council World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next year seems to be a big issue in the making.
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Interim Management Committee Najam Sethi kept all the options open as he described the prevailing situation in the host country for the two coveted events as a grave concern for his body.
Speaking to the media at the Lahore airport on his return from the UAE, Sethi defined the forthcoming events to be hosted in Bangladesh a conundrum for Pakistan.
“It’s fine for other teams, but we are facing an extra problem,” said the IMC chairman.
“We will have to take extra precautions and have to keep a check on the situation in Bangladesh before making the decision on our participation.”
The strained relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh were aggravated this month after the hanging of Abdul Quader Mollah. The execution was followed by raging protests in different cities of Bangladesh, with the protesters calling for an end to diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
The PCB has already expressed its concern to the ICC but the game’s governing body appears reluctant to shift the World Twenty20 from Bangladesh.
Sethi said he will raise the issue at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting scheduled for early next month in Sri Lanka.
“I’ll be leaving for Sri Lanka on January 4 where the matter will be raised. The discussion on the situation in Bangladesh will be discussed before any decision.”
Bangladesh will host the Asia Cup from February 24 to March 7 while the World Twenty20 will be staged from March 16 to April 6.
More youngsters will be inducted in team
Sethi expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka.
He said the youngsters are teaming up well with the senior players.
“Hafeez’s form is good while [Shahid] Afridi is also giving a good show as an all-rounder,” said Sethi, before hinting at the return of Hafeez and the inclusion of more youngsters for the three-match Test series. Sethi also praised pacer Umar Gul’s effort in the third match of the ODI series.
“Gul has lost some pace but his swing and line and length is exemplary. His spell turned the match on its head on Sunday.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2013.
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@rasgullah: cholera outbreaks in ur bongladesh are much more hazardous than polio
Why are Pakistanis so unwelcome all over the world? The visa officers react as if they have got an electric shock the moment they see that green passport. How long can this state of affairs continue?
@Someone: Well, even in that Pakistan would be the number one in the world.
@rasgullah: In that case, Indians should be banned for spreading HIV/AIDS.
@M. Emad @rasgullah Actually Pakistan should launch a nuclear tipped missile at Dhaka to have the last laugh for 1971.
@Muhammad Sadiq: @Chill: What about polio? Isn't it a valid reason?
M. Emad.. why banned?
@M. Emad: Excuse me! Banned? What for?
Why should Pakistan be banned from the Asia Cup and International Cricket Council World Twenty20 next year. Have Pakistan broken any ICC rules that we do no know about? If they have then it is down to the ICC to decide what to do with with Pakistan. People always say that you should keep politics out of sports, but people like you (M. Emad) do not have the intellect to understand that. All that your type of people do is jump on the bash Pakistan wagon it does not matter what the subject maybe. It is easy to do to bash Pakistan and it makes you feel big and hard that you have a whipping boy that you can blame everything on if thing do not go your way. My advice to you is grow up Mr. M. Emad and do something better with your life than bash Pakistan.
Pakistan should be banned from the Asia Cup and International Cricket Council World Twenty20 game in next year.