In a Facebook post on Thursday, Nazrul acknowledged Sharif\u2019s decision as a protest against Bangladesh\u2019s removal from the multi-nation event. \u201cThank you, Pakistan,\u201d he wrote in the post.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also quoted remarks made by Sharif during a meeting of Pakistan\u2019s cabinet in Islamabad on Wednesday, in which he explained the rationale behind the boycott. \"Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said his country has decided to boycott the India match in protest of removing Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup. We will not play the match against India, he said to 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 added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, the Pakistan government announced that its national cricket team would not play the T20 World Cup group-stage match against India at Colombo\u2019s R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In response, the ICC issued a strong statement on Sunday, urging the PCB to seek a mutually acceptable resolution and warning that selective participation undermines the principles of global competition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhile the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms as per the event schedule,\u201d the ICC said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In response, the ICC issued a strong statement on Sunday, urging the PCB to seek a mutually acceptable resolution and warning that selective participation undermines the principles of global competition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup after its government declined to allow the team to travel to India, citing security concerns. Bangladesh had requested that its matches be shifted to Sri Lanka, but the proposal was rejected by the ICC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n