The Pakistan government has announced that their cricket team will not play India in the T20 World Cup group stage competition. The government allowed the team to travel to Sri Lanka for their matches. A look at the sequence of events that led to this decision. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to play its league match against India in Colombo on February 15 in solidarity with Bangladesh’s elimination from the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The decision was taken despite the PCB having a binding agreement with the ICC and BCCI to play matches at neutral grounds.However, the Pakistani government has allowed its national team to participate in the tournament, which begins on February 7. Pakistan are scheduled to face the Netherlands in the tournament opener at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo.“Government of Pakistan gives approval to Pakistan cricket team to participate in the 2020 World Cup, however the Pakistan team will not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15 against India,” the Pakistan government said.Here is the timeline of events that led to Pakistan’s decision:January 3: The BCCI has ordered Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman, who was acquired by the franchise in the IPL mini-auction. The decision came amid deteriorating relations between India and Bangladesh.January 6: Bangladesh ordered the IPL season to be stopped in the country. The BCB further stated that if one player was deemed a “security liability”, the security of the entire team could be at risk.January 12: The BCB has formally written to the ICC requesting to relocate its T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka. The BCB proposed a “hybrid model”, similar to the 2023 Asia Cup.January 21: ICC Council votes against moving Bangladesh matches. The 14-2 decision saw only Pakistan come out in support of Bangladesh. The ICC claimed that an independent security assessment had found “no credible threat” to players in India. The Bangladeshis also gave a 24-hour deadline to confirm the trip.January 22: In a meeting held at a hotel in Dhaka between the national team, BCB officials and Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul, Bangladesh stuck to their decision and decided not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup.January 24: When Bangladesh decided not to play the T20 World Cup matches in India, the ICC formally replaced them in Group C with Scotland.January 24: After Bangladesh were removed from the T20 World Cup, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that a final decision on their participation would be taken after talking to the Pakistan government.“Our stance (on participating in the World Cup) will be as directed by the Pakistan government,” he said. “The prime minister is not in Pakistan right now. When he comes back, I will be able to give you our final decision. It is the government’s decision. We listen to them, not the ICC.”January 26: Naqvi met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the situation. “Had a productive meeting with PM… Shehbaz Sharif,” Naqvi tweeted. “He briefed him on the ICC matter and directed that we resolve it and leave all options on the table. It was agreed that a final decision (on participation) would be taken either on Friday or next Monday.”February 1: Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met in Lahore for the second time in a week. The government allowed the national team to participate in the T20 World Cup, but prevented them from playing arch-rivals and co-hosts in India on 15 February.
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