ICC to replace Pakistan with Bangladesh in T20 World Cup?:PCB might suffer severe repercussions for shallow threatening calls- report

In a major development to the Bangladesh cricket row, it has been learned that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is contemplating replacing Pakistan with Bangladesh in case the former withdraws from the T20 World Cup. It is worth noting that Pakistan has been backing Bangladesh on the issue of not playing the WC in India. However, the logistical challenges that it could have posed compelled ICC to boot Bangladesh out of the tournament since BCB was adamant on not playing its World Cup games in India. The final decision on Pakistan’s participation is pending till 2nd February. However, as per the Hindustan Times source, in case PCB withdraw from the T20 World Cup, ICC might pull in Bangladesh for the tournament. Pakistan faces threat of replacement for uncalled provocation The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, said on Monday that a final decision on the team’s participation in next month’s T20 World Cup has been delayed. Naqvi met Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif on Monday to take his advice on the situation, after which a call was expected to be made, but PCB chief posted on X that “the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday”. However, it is improbable that Pakistan will pull out at the last moment. As per the same report, if it happens, Bangladesh will be playing Pakistan’s Group A games in Sri Lanka. That would limit the logistical challenges for the apex board and teams. Also Read: Pakistan announce T20 World Cup squad after pull-out hoax: Haris Rauf dropped, Babar-Shaheen included; PAK to face IND on 15 February ICC would kill two birds with one stone with the Bangladesh-Pakistan swap move If Pakistan is replaced with Bangladesh, the ICC cannot be portrayed as giving in to Bangladesh’s demands. Moreover, it will be portrayed as accepting BCB’s security concerns regarding playing in India. So, Pakistan’s exit will end the debate of pointing fingers at the apex board. Notably, on 24th January, ICC had replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in Group C after they refused to play their matches in India, citing security issues. Another reason PCB is having second thoughts about withdrawing from the T20 WC is that it doesn’t have a solid reason for doing so. While PCB had backed Bangladesh’s demand to have their matches moved out of India, the plea was voted out by the ICC Board. How will Pakistan stay consistent on the boycott hoax then? There are other options the PCB may ponder in case it does not withdraw from the World Cup, but to show some act of protest. The strongest among them could be to boycott the Group A league match against India in Colombo on 15th February and agree to forfeit points, according to Pakistan media reports. However, the India-Pakistan match being a marquee match may hurt the tournament’s broadcasters and sponsors. Even here, the reason that PCB offers for such a move would decide what consequences they would face from the ICC. As per the same report, if PCB violates the mutually understood hybrid model, they’ll face consequences for that as well. Among other such options, PCB can consider playing the matches wearing black armbands. Also Read: ‘This is not how we wanted to go’:Cricket Scotland expresses sympathy for Bangladesh, announces T20 World Cup squad after late replacement BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla broke silence on Pakistan’s intervention Earlier, a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official gave his first reaction on the matter on Monday. Rajiv Shukla, BCCI vice president, told ANI, “We wanted Bangladesh to play, and we also assured full security, but since they have made this decision, it is very difficult to change the entire schedule at the last moment. This is why Scotland was brought in.” He further added, “Pakistan is intervening in the matter without any reason and provoking Bangladesh. Everyone knows the brutality done by Pakistan on the Bangladeshis, and now they are trying to mislead them, which is completely wrong.” In short, any extreme step moving ahead in this saga will backfire on Pakistan for its support of Bangladesh. That’s why it is expected to be another hoax, but official confirmation is yet to come.