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Published : 05 Feb 2026, 01:35 PM
Sport Advisor Asif Nazrul has thanked Pakistan for supporting Bangladesh over the its decision on the T20 World Cup that leaves the national team out of this year’s tournament.
In a verified Facebook post on Thursday morning, Nazrul shared his appreciation for the gesture.
The advisor noted that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed his country’s decision to boycott the match against India in protest against Bangladesh being sidelined from the tournament.
On Wednesday, the Pakistani leader told cabinet members that his team would not play against India because sports and politics should remain separate.
Shehbaz described the move as a carefully considered decision to stand fully with Bangladesh, which Nazrul called “highly appropriate”.
Bangladesh has been barred from the tournament after refusing to travel to India, with Scotland taking their place based on rankings.
Following this, several Pakistani media outlets speculated that Pakistan might also take a major step, including possibly withdrawing from the tournament.
On Sunday, the Pakistan government confirmed that the national team would participate in the World Cup but would abstain from facing India.
The exact reasons for boycotting the match were assumed, but no formal announcement was made at the time by either the Pakistan government or cricket board.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz confirmed the stance to his cabinet.
"There should be no politics in sports; it is our clear stand,” he said. “We have taken this stand after careful deliberation. We are with Bangladesh, and I think this is the right and proper decision,"
This year’s T20 World Cup is set to begin on Saturday in India and Sri Lanka.
