LAHORE: Interior Minister and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday said that Bangladesh, which has refused to play the T20 World Cup scheduled in India, was being mistreated and should be allowed to participate in the tournament.
Mohsin Naqvi, talking to media in Lahore, said that the PCB’s stance on the situation would be according to the government of Pakistan’s instructions.
“Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. I said the same in the board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC). You cannot have double standards, where one country can make whatever decision whenever and do the total opposite for another country.
“That is why we have taken the stand that Bangladesh is being treated unfairly and should be allowed to play the World Cup in any case. They are a major stakeholder and this injustice should not be done.”
To a question about a potential boycott of the World Cup, Naqvi said the government of Pakistan would make the decision.
PCB chief said that “We are waiting for the prime minister to return”, adding that a final decision would be taken then.
To another question whether he would suggest to the ICC a hybrid model for Bangladesh, similar to the one between Pakistan and India.
“The thing is that Bangladesh is the same member as Pakistan. And our stance is that if you have done this favour with Pakistan and India, then you should do the same with Bangladesh,” he said.
Interior Minister said that one country cannot dictate another and if this dictation is attempted, then Pakistan definitely has its own stance. He said that first Prime Minister will make the decision then PCB will think about Plan B. Naqvi said that let the decision come first from the federal government then PCB will speak about Plan A, B, C, D.
