Earlier on Monday, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said the team will abide by any decision taken by the government and the Pakistan Cricket Board on the proposed boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo. Speaking to the media before departing from Lahore, Salman said the players were informed about the decision by the team manager after the match against Australia.
“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.
