Don't support Bangladesh at the cost of Pakistan cricket: Ex-Pak players

Pakistan should avoid harming its relationship with the world governing body, and support for Bangladesh should not come at the cost of national cricket, former players and board officials said as the PCB deferred its decision on participating in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Former Pakistan cricketers and former board officials have urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ensure that the national team takes part in the upcoming T20 World Cup, stressing that support for Bangladesh should not come at the cost of Pakistan's own cricketing interests or its relationship with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The PCB has deferred a final decision on its participation in the ICC tournament after Bangladesh's exit from the T20 World Cup, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi setting Friday or Monday as the deadline to confirm whether Pakistan will compete. The delay has prompted strong reactions from former players and administrators, who believe that staying away from the World Cup would be damaging for Pakistan cricket.

Former Pakistan Test captain Muhammad Hafeez said the PCB must send the team to the World Cup, a view echoed by former PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood and former secretary Arif Ali Abbasi. Abbasi said supporting Bangladesh was understandable but questioned the logic behind withdrawing from the tournament.

"I can understand Pakistan supporting Bangladesh but what purpose will PCB achieve by not sending its team apart from spoiling relations with the International Cricket Council and member boards," Abbasi said.

Abbasi, who worked on the board during the time of Jagmohan Dalmiya and IS Bindra, added that the PCB must consider the wider impact of such a decision.

"What about our relations with Sri Lanka? Obviously Sri Lanka will suffer losses if Pakistan doesn't go as all our matches are in Sri Lanka including matches with India," he said.