DHAKA (Web Desk) – Bangladesh’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Asif Nazrul, has thanked Pakistan for expressing solidarity following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
In a post on social media, Nazrul said that after an announcement by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan decided not to play its match against India as a gesture of support for Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi sports minister added that Pakistan’s prime minister told a cabinet meeting that politics should have no role in sports, and that the decision was taken after careful consideration in Bangladesh’s favour.
Bangladesh announced its withdrawal from the World Cup on January 22, citing security concerns.
At the time, Bangladeshi authorities also said that the ICC had not treated the country fairly.
Following Bangladesh’s withdrawal, Scotland was included in the tournament as a replacement.
Scotland has been placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Italy, and Nepal.
Scotland is scheduled to play its opening match against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 7.
