NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday dismissed any suggestion that the announcement of the World Cup squad meant Pakistan had already decided to participate in next month’s ICC event.

Naqvi reiterated that the PCB is still awaiting clarity from the Pakistan government before taking a final call on the country’s participation in the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held across India and Sri Lanka.

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The International Cricket Council, meanwhile, pushed Bangladesh out of the upcoming T20 World Cup on Saturday and brought in Scotland as a replacement after the BCB refused to allow its team to travel to India citing security concerns following Mustafizur Rahman’s ouster from the IPL.

PCB awaits government directive

“We are waiting for the government's advice and whatever the government tells us to do we will do it. If they don’t want us to go for the World Cup, we will follow it,” Naqvi told Pakistan players and head coach Mike Hesson during a meeting held after the squad announcement.

Pakistan on Sunday named a 15-member T20 World Cup squad, with Salman Ali Agha set to lead the side in the global event.

During the meeting, Naqvi briefed the players on the PCB’s position regarding Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament following their reluctance to travel to India over security concerns.

Players back PCB’s stance

In a subsequent statement, the PCB said the players supported the board’s stance and stood by Bangladesh over the issue.

Naqvi also conveyed to the players that Bangladesh’s decision to avoid playing matches in India was based on principle.

“We firmly reject the double standards of the ICC,” Naqvi was quoted as saying in the PCB statement, adding that the game should be conducted in keeping with its spirit and principles.

The PCB chairman also reminded the players of the expectations placed on them by fans ahead of the upcoming home white-ball series against Australia as well as the World Cup, urging them to give their best on the field.

(With PTI Inputs)