"Last month the Pakistan government announced that they had refused permission for their cricket team to play this T20I World Cup fixture against India in solidarity with Bangladesh. The latter were removed from the tournament after they themselves refused to travel to India because of security concerns. Scotland, who missed out on the final qualifying place to Italy last year were called up to take their place with just two weeks notice."
"In January, Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a direct result of political pressure. Pakistan saw their opportunity to make a move, their decision no doubt influenced by India's refusal to play in Pakistan when they themselves hosted another ICC event the Champions Trophy, last year. Cricket was thus used as a political football."
"At the Asia Cup held in Dubai in September of last year, India's players refused to shake hands with their Pakistan counterparts. They also refused to accept the tournament trophy from the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Even more remarkably, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media after the match comparing the cricket team's cricketing victory to Operation Sindoor' the military conflict fought between the two countries in Kashmir in May 2025."
The Pakistan government refused permission for its team to play India in solidarity with Bangladesh. Bangladesh were removed after refusing to travel to India over security concerns, and Scotland were called up with two weeks' notice. Tensions between Bangladesh and India spilled onto cricket; Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the IPL by the BCCI under political pressure. Pakistan's decision was influenced by India's refusal to play in Pakistan at the previous Champions Trophy. At the Asia Cup, India's players refused handshakes and declined the PCB trophy, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi likened the win to 'Operation Sindoor'.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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