India to travel to Colombo for Pakistan fixture despite boycott decision

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly instruced the team to follow ICC protocols by travelling to Colombo on February 15, despite Pakistan’s boycott decision. 

India to follow ICC protocol

A source from within the BCCI confirmed that the team will await the match referee to call off the game after Pakistan’s expected no-show.

“India will travel to Sri Lanka on February 15 and follow ICC protocol. They will practice as per schedule, do a press conference, reach the stadium on time and wait for the match referee to call off the match," a BCCI source said.

What triggered the boycott?

Pakistan’s boycott decision comes after a chain of events that began with the BCCI instructing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rehman from their squad. While the reason behind the move was not revealed, it is understood to be linked to worsening political relations between the two countries.

Following the pacer’s removal, Bangladesh requested that the ICC shift their T20 World Cup fixtures out of India, citing security risks. However, the global body refused to go ahead with any change in the schedule, following which Bangladesh were replaced with Scotland.

During this tussle, Pakistan sided with Bangladesh, accusing the ICC of double standards, citing the shift of India’s Champions Trophy games last year upon their request. Following Bangladesh’s removal from the World Cup, Pakistan mulled over boycotting the tournament as a protest, though on Sunday, they confirmed only pulling out of their group-stage game against India.

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