‘Mindset is clear, we’re going to Colombo,’ says Suryakumar Yadav:Salman Ali Agha claimed, ‘Bangladeshis are our brothers, pity they’re not playing’

With the first clash of the T20 World Cup just a couple of days ago, controversies have not stopped piling up in the Pakistan-Bangladesh cricket row. Suryakumar Yadav has opened up on the uncertainty for the group game against Pakistan on 15 February. He confirmed that the Indian camp will proceed with the game as planned without any change. The India captain said this to the media at the captains’ day in Mumbai on Thursday (5 February). He said on the India-Pakistan group clash, according to PTI: Mindset is pretty clear. We haven’t said no to the game. The ICC has decided on a neutral venue. We are going to Colombo for sure. We don’t know about others. We will play the match on 7th and go to Colombo then. It’s not my call. If the decision is coming from the government then I can’t do anything on it. The fixtures are ready and we will go to Colombo. Earlier, after PM Shehbaz Sharif’s comment on the team’s boycott against India, Salman Ali Agha referred to Bangladeshis as his ‘brothers’ and called the omission of Bangla Tigers a ‘pity’. The Pakistan team captain also stated this while addressing the captains’ carnival in Colombo on Thursday (5 February). Moreover, Bangladesh Asif Nazrul also followed up with his response on PAK PM Shehbaz Sharif’s support to Bangladesh. ‘Bangladeshis are our brothers’: Salman Ali Agha openly extends his support to Bangladesh While addressing the media at the captains’ carnival in Colombo, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha answered the question on Bangladesh not playing the ICC tournament. He said: Bangladeshis are our brothers; we are grateful for their support for Pakistan. It’s a pity that they are not playing in the tournament. Notably, Bangladesh demanded a hybrid model for playing the T20 World Cup to the ICC, citing security concerns for players and staff. However, the International Cricket Council board did not entertain this request and restricted them to participate in the marquee tournament, replacing them with Scotland. As a support, then, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed his support for Bangladesh by boycotting the T20 WC game against India, responding to which, BAN Youth and Sports advisor thanked PAK PM for his open support. Sparks of camaraderie between Asif Nazrul and Shehbaz Sharif Bangladesh Sports and Youth Advisor Asif Nazrul spoke once again on the BAN cricket row to thank Shehbaz Sharif. Nazrul posted on his Facebook page, “Thank you pakistan.” Also Read: WATCH | Won’t play against India, says Shehbaz Sharif: Pakistan PM states, ‘There should be no politics in sports, stand with Bangladesh’ “Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said his country has decided to boycott India-match in protest of removing Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup.
We will not play a match against India, he said to the cabinet members on Wednesday. Because there should be no politics on the playground. We took this decision very thoughtfully. We should totally stand by Bangladesh. I think this is a very appropriate decision’,” he further added on his social media post.