Pakistan’s cricketers are poised to jet off to Colombo on February 2 with their Australian counterparts, flights booked despite lingering uncertainty over T20 World Cup involvement. Telecom Asia Sport learned from sources that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi will confirm participation by Friday, even as boycott whispers persist.
The backdrop involves Naqvi’s initial skepticism following ICC’s refusal to relocate Bangladesh’s India games to Sri Lanka over security fears. The marquee event spans February 7 to March 8.
Strategic huddles saw Naqvi briefing PM Sharif, who endorsed solidarity with Bangladesh yet prioritized avoiding economic fallout from a pullout. Consultations extended to President Zardari, the military establishment, and former PCB chiefs Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja, all favoring dispatch to Sri Lanka sans forfeits, particularly the India encounter.
On the field, Pakistan readies for Australia’s T20I challenge in Lahore from Thursday. Instructions to players emphasize upbeat readiness for the World Cup, evidenced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stars hauling month-long gear from home.
As tensions simmer between protest politics and tournament imperatives, Naqvi’s verdict looms large, potentially averting a major cricketing standoff.