NEW DELHI: The growing Pakistan-Bangladesh bonhomie has become a major talking point heading into the T20 World Cup after Pakistan refused to play India on February 15 in Colombo as a show of solidarity. The issue was also addressed by Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha during the captains' day press conference on Thursday.

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.

Following Bangladesh's ouster, Pakistan decided to boycott their high-stake T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo with the country's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stating that this decision is a show of solidarity with Bangladesh.

"Bangladeshis are our brothers; we are grateful for their support for Pakistan. It's a pity that they are not playing in the tournament," Salman Ali Agha said during the press conference.

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.