NEW DELHI: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India as an "appropriate" and "well-considered" move, saying it was taken in solidarity with Bangladesh.
The Pakistan cricket team has been instructed by the government to skip the February 15 fixture in Colombo after Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland for declining to play their matches in India, citing security concerns.
"We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won't play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field," Sharif stated after a government meeting here.
"We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision. We are with Bangladesh," he added.
In response, Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul posted "Thank You, Pakistan" on his official Facebook page, while quoting Sharif's statement.
The ICC has issued a stern warning to the PCB, cautioning that failure to participate in the marquee clash could invite serious repercussions, given the fixture's immense commercial value for broadcasters, sponsors and advertisers.
In its communication, the world body urged the PCB to weigh the "significant and long-term consequences" of such a decision, stressing that any disruption would have wider ramifications for the global cricket ecosystem - one in which Pakistan is both a stakeholder and a beneficiary.
Pakistan has reached Colombo for its other preliminary engagements, starting with a game against the Netherlands on Saturday.
The country's cricket board has already made it clear that it supports the government's position and would go by its advice even if a rematch against India crops up during the knockout stage.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had stated that the decision to drop Bangladesh was not fair and their security concerns should have been addressed.
The ICC's security assessment of Indian venues had placed the threat perception for Bangladesh in the low to moderate category.
Bangladesh's refusal to travel to India for its share of matches came after its pacer Mustafizur Rahman was ousted from the IPL on BCCI's instructions.
The Indian Board did not specify the reasons but it came amid increased attacks on Hindus there.
(With PTI Inputs)
