Pakistan's T20 World Cup Plans Hang in Balance Amid Political Uncertainty
In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, Pakistan's preparations for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup have taken an unexpected turn. The national team has already secured bookings to fly out to Colombo on Monday, even as serious doubts persist about their actual participation in the prestigious tournament scheduled from February 7 to March 8.
Flight Booked Amid Participation Doubts
According to reliable sources who spoke to Telecom Asia Sport, the Pakistan cricket team is booked alongside the Australian squad to travel to Colombo via an Air Lanka flight departing from Lahore. This logistical arrangement has been made despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Pakistan's involvement in the World Cup.
The same sources indicated that clarity on this matter is expected imminently. "We hope that by Friday the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi will have cleared the team's participation in the mega event," they revealed, highlighting the tight timeline for decision-making before the scheduled departure.
Political Consultations Complicate Decision
The uncertainty stems from recent developments involving the International Cricket Council's rejection of the Bangladesh Cricket Board's request to shift their World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. In protest against what they perceive as Bangladesh's expulsion from the event, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi raised the possibility of Pakistan staying away from the tournament altogether.
Naqvi has been actively consulting with Pakistan's highest authorities regarding this sensitive matter. He recently met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad to seek guidance on the appropriate course of action. Sources familiar with the discussions told Telecomasia.net that while the Prime Minister supported Pakistan's stance of standing with Bangladesh, he also advised against a boycott due to potential financial repercussions for Pakistani cricket.
Widespread Consultations Before Final Call
The PCB chief has cast a wide net in his consultations, seeking advice from multiple stakeholders before making the final decision. Naqvi also took counsel from President Asif Zardari and from the military establishment before meeting with former PCB chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja. Interestingly, both former chiefs reportedly supported sending the team to Sri Lanka and specifically advised against boycotting the match against India.
This extensive consultation process underscores the complex political and diplomatic dimensions of what might otherwise appear as a purely sporting decision. The final call is expected to be made just before the team boards their flight to Colombo, adding to the suspense surrounding Pakistan's World Cup participation.
Ground Preparations Continue Despite Uncertainty
Amid the political and administrative uncertainty, practical preparations on the ground continue unabated. Pakistan is scheduled to face Australia in a three-match T20I series beginning Thursday in Lahore, with players being instructed to maintain their focus and professionalism.
"All the players have been told that they must remain in a positive mood as far as participation in the World Cup is concerned," a source close to the team revealed. The level of preparation is so thorough that some players from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have reportedly brought all their luggage, anticipating they could be out of the country for more than a month if the team proceeds to the World Cup.
This juxtaposition of logistical readiness against political uncertainty creates a unique situation where Pakistan's cricketers are physically prepared for the tournament while their participation remains subject to high-level diplomatic considerations. The coming days will reveal whether Pakistan takes the field in the T20 World Cup or becomes the first major cricketing nation to withdraw from the tournament over political solidarity concerns.
