“We are players who have a contract with the board and whatever decisions our government and board take, all the players are on board,” Salman said. He added that the World Cup was not only about India, stressing: “We have three more group games, so we will try to win them all and qualify for the next round.”
Several former captains and players supported this stance. Rashid Latif said: “What the ICC has done to Bangladesh… it was time someone took a stand,” while Shahid Afridi admitted disappointment but said he understood the reasons. Moin Khan commented, “The ICC now has to decide what path it wants to take in the larger interests of world cricket.”
Pakistan left for Colombo and will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 with further matches against USA and Namibia.