High octane Pakistan-India World T20 clash on March 19
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The fate of the bilateral series remains uncertain but Pakistan and India will cross swords in a high-octane 2016 World Twenty20 clash on March 19 after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the groups and schedule of the tournament on Friday.
Pakistan feature in a tough Super 10 Group 2 which also includes 2015 World Cup champions Australia and runners-up New Zealand.
A total of 58 tournament matches, including 35 men’s matches and 23 women’s matches, will be played in the 27-day tournament (March 8 to April 3) in Bengaluru, Chennai, Dharamsala, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur and New Delhi.
New Delhi and Mumbai will host the semi-finals on March 30 and 31, respectively, while Eden Gardens in Kolkata will be the venue of the April 3 finals. The women’s semi-finals and final will be followed by the men’s knock-out matches.
There is a reserve day for the finals.
There have been five different winners of the men’s event while the England women’s team won the inaugural tournament at home in 2009 before Australia won three straight titles in the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2010, 2012 and 2014, respectively.
According to the men’s event format, eight sides in two groups of four, will feature in the first round matches with the group winners joining eight sides in the Super 10 stage [two groups of five teams].
The top two sides from both the Super 10 Groups will then qualify for the semi-finals.
In the women’s event, the 10 sides will be divided into two groups and the top two sides from each group will progress to the semi-finals.
The men’s event will carry a total prize money of $5.6million, which is an 86 per cent increase from the 2014 tournament, while the total prize money for the women’s event is $400,000, which is a 122 per cent increase from the Bangladesh event.
The first round matches in the men’s event will take place in Dharamsala and Nagpur from March 8-13 and will feature Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland, debutant Oman [all in Group A], Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan [all in Group B].
The group winners will join Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and host India in the Super 10 stage, which will be played alongside the women’s event from March 15-28.
Men’s defending champion Sri Lanka has been placed in Super 10 Group 1 along with South Africa, West Indies, England and the Group B winner. It will open its title defence against the Group B winner in Kolkata on March 17, and play West Indies in Bengaluru on March 20, England in New Delhi on March 26 and South Africa in New Delhi on March 28.
2009 champion Pakistan will take on the Group A winner in Kolkata on March 16, before locking horns with traditional rival India in Dharamsala on March 19. Its remaining two matches will be in Mohali against New Zealand and Australia on March 22 and 25, respectively. — ICC
First round (group winners to progress to second round)
Group A – Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland and Oman
Group B – Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan
Second round groups
Super 10 Group 1 – Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, England and winner group B (Q1B)
Super 10 Group 2 – India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and winner group A (Q1A)
Flashback: Gul sets up Dhoni for a sizzling yorker (PAK v IND, 2007 World T20)
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Comments (103) Closed
Dec 11, 2015 01:41pm
Any idea why Dharmsala is venue for Pak Ind Match??????
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Dec 11, 2015 01:42pm
that group means pak out automatically..aust or kiwi/ind will go thru.....aint got no high hopes.
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Dec 11, 2015 01:43pm
If Pakistan don't go there who will play with india then . If I was in any power I would cancel all sports with India just to teach them lesson . They don't deserve we play vs them .
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Dec 11, 2015 01:44pm
Not happening as the series in december won't take place. Pakistan will boycott WT20 citing security (which otherwise is fine if the series happens) and hence no match. Am I right?
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Dec 11, 2015 01:46pm
Pakistan should not go the India.
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Dec 11, 2015 01:46pm
Tough group. Pakistan will be fourth in their group if no major upset occurs. Remember no Saeed Ajmal this time restricting the batsmen to low totals and Hafeez can't bowl either. Team's favorite Sohail Tanvir will go at over 10 run per over while Afridi will be flop as usual.
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Dec 11, 2015 01:50pm
I will love it but read that Pakistan is going to walkout from WC . Not good for cricket fans:(
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Dec 11, 2015 01:52pm
I see New Zealand and England in final
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Dec 11, 2015 01:52pm
boycott,boycott must be the call from pak ppl..
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Dec 11, 2015 01:57pm
Very unbalanced groups
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Dec 11, 2015 01:57pm
Pakistan should boycott the world cup if India doesn’t agree to play home series with Pakistan.
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Dec 11, 2015 01:57pm
So Pakistan ready to play in India inspite of PCB offers declined by India ?
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Dec 11, 2015 01:58pm
Mauka Mauka :)
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Dec 11, 2015 02:09pm
If India doesn't play the series, we must not go to India. We may loose some money, but BCCI will loose a huge amount as opening match is between Pakistan & India. So many ppl will be watching Pakistani team across the world and no one will be interested in the substitute team leaving BCCI loosing a lot of money
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Dec 11, 2015 02:10pm
Unfortunately, its not the 90s when both teams were at par and the encounters were hi-octane. India is a much better team and Pakistan is going through a rebuilding process for next couple of years. There is no match.
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Dec 11, 2015 02:11pm
Pakistan should write to icc beforehand, regarding non-availibilty of its for the cricket match vs Indian match as border situation is not conducive for playing cricket, as earlier mentioned by bcci secretary. Pakistan should only play, if bcci agrees to pay for the lossess incurred by pathetic low-life attitude of Indian board officials regarding Pakistan's home series.
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Dec 11, 2015 02:13pm
It is time that we make a stand and show that we are an independent nation and make it a point not to play in India citing security reasons,so that ICC should now arrange Pakistan's fixtures out side India.
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Dec 11, 2015 02:20pm
India is bullying and hypocrite . India is happy playing Pakistan in India but not outside India. They know Pakistan will make money from the series outside India. I think PCB should boycott India for world cup
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Dec 11, 2015 02:20pm
Tit for tat. Pakistan should refuse to tour India if India does not tour Pakistan, irrespective of the money involved.
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Dec 11, 2015 02:23pm
@raza ICC is Indian Crricket Counsil
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Dec 11, 2015 02:29pm
We dont want any sports relations with India unless they stop brutality in Kashmir. Anyways they are not playing with us so ehy should we go and let them earn money from that match which will be taxed to their government and they will use against us. To all my Pakistani friends pls boycott if PCB plan to send the team to India. I am for sure will not even watch the match
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Dec 11, 2015 02:53pm
Indian situation for Pakistan team is not safe to travel and play freely there. Pakistan should avoid to go there and play T-20 world cup
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Dec 11, 2015 02:58pm
Inida strongly lobying not to include Amir in Pak cricket team, so Pak team will be weak.
And I think India will be successful for their effort.
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Dec 11, 2015 02:59pm
@khan Pakistan is not safe yet n no good hotels too. N in India except Maharashtra Pakistan team will fell secure.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:00pm
Pakistan should boycott this world cup citing security reason. India is not safe for Pakisani players
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Dec 11, 2015 03:03pm
@Salim Are you on a high? You play or not, BCCI makes Rs 13 billion a year without much fuss. It is PCB who needs money for PSL wchich comes from India series.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:05pm
Time for pakistan to display some self respect and not attend this event.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:06pm
You can't boycott WT20. Right now no body is visiting you and boycott decision may wipe you out from cricket map of the world. Talk sense.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:13pm
@khan cricketing between India and Pakistan are strained because of Pakistan's support to terrorism. Don't mix things. India is willing to play with Pakistan if right steps are taken by your Government and Army. BCCI has no intention to put PCB under any loss. What can Manohar do if GOI permission is not forthcoming.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:19pm
And don't mix security issue as an instrument. GOI guarantees highest security to all cricketers including Pakistan team. Maharashtra including Mumbai is very safe and Pakistan should not have any issue over it. Never ever Shiv Sena has harmed any cricketer or an ordinary Pakistani till date. But yes tempers over Mumbai attack are very high. But does not mean they will attack cricket team. Please come out of it. Shiv Sena is a responsible political party and not extremist. They play to the gallery for Public Consumption and not to harm any body.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:20pm
@Riz who told you this? Don't be foolish and learn to talk sense.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:26pm
Hi octane for india because they make the money. There is nothing in it for us.
Have some self respect PCB and back off from this tournament. If Pakistan team participate in WT20, I will not watch it in protest.
Enough is enough, Indian anti Pakistan sentiment cannot be tolerated all the time.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:26pm
@Khalid (From Japan) Pakistan should go to India and Win
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Dec 11, 2015 03:28pm
I smell even India refuse to play with us , our team will go to India and play in WC. Keep some self respect alive.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:30pm
We all know PCB is hungry for money and has literally begged BCCI to allow Pak-Ind series but we should for once and all cut all sporting ties with India, especially the events that are hosted by India. On a neutral venue, in an international event an exception can be made. I'm sure the sentiment on the other side of the border is the same as well. No cultural, sporting, trade or any other contact with Indians. Period!
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Dec 11, 2015 03:33pm
@Malik AbuBakr Khurshid I agree with you completely.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:34pm
Dharamshala is in himachal pradesh, north of punjab. It will be a ground, closest to kashmir where pakistani team will play. The ground has beautiful view of snow laden mountain s, a very high altitude ground, bit smaller in size, afridi may love it for his sixers. Now lets see how many pakistani fans get visa for this location as it more of a armed forces area, plus the dalai lama's headquarters of tibet govt in exile is also nearby.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:48pm
@Malik AbuBakr Khurshid Its better this way than to lose again in the world cup!
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Dec 11, 2015 03:51pm
its amongst most beautiul venues in the world.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:57pm
@Delhi wala Since the attitude of BCCI, no one really cares about cricket fans. It all about politics and money.
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Dec 11, 2015 03:59pm
@Anuj what a cynical man you are :) I hope Pakistan don't boycott the world T20 just because India refuses to honour its commitments. Gestures like this in the past haven't been enough to persuade India that sports should be kept free of politics but hey no harm in keep trying and you never know when a collection of sane voices in India say enough is enough!!!
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Dec 11, 2015 04:01pm
@citizen Why India refused to play in UAE and Sri Lanka. Accept it they don't want PCB to make money
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Dec 11, 2015 04:03pm
No need to visit if Bilateral series MoU is not honoured .... The groups are made based on commerical interests ...
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Dec 11, 2015 04:03pm
sir, no compulsion, if you wish not to come....pls. dont go against your wishes...enjoy your well...
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Dec 11, 2015 04:04pm
@suresh deshpande What about Indian interference in Pakistan ? In Baluchistan and through Afghanistan, in Karachi. India need to stop terrorism and is not safe for Pak to play there
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Dec 11, 2015 04:05pm
I think it is not fair to regard cricket which is only a sports to such a prestige point. Cricket should be played with a spirit like any other sports. Unnecessary hype damages both the game & relationship.
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Dec 11, 2015 04:09pm
Though I don't agree with Pakistan boycotting the T20 WC, the problem still needs to be addressed. Agreed international cricket in Pakistan is discontinued due to security reasons. But what gets ignored is the security risk is is nationwide, and equally on both Pakistanis and international delegates are impacted (it is not specific to India/Indians). There is no racial element to this as Pakistanis do not consider the terrorists as Pakistanis. Problem in India is specific to Pakistanis due, indeed due to a select group of people. However, this is still racial rather than universal.
I think I speak for everyone, Pak vs. India is one of sports greatest rivalries and always brings the two nations together, not apart.
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Dec 11, 2015 04:12pm
India is not safe. India is not safe. India is not safe..........only Sharyar K should go without Pak team.
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Dec 11, 2015 04:14pm
@arvind74 I am lucky enough to watch match at Dharamshala when last time Pakistan team played against Board president XI. Inzmam ul heqe was caption of the team that time. although it was rain affected 3days match but crowd at Dharamshala was very supportive towards both team and Pakistani team player cheered by crowd. for my Pakistani readers Dharamshala stadium is amongst the world top 3 cricket stadium of the world with snow mountain view
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Dec 11, 2015 04:16pm
In fact no longer high octane match for India. It may have been in the 80s when we had black and white TV and 90s when we did not have LCD. Now India is a multisport country and cricket is a fading game. Further, life has become so busy and stressful compared to those laid back days that most people have no time for cricket. Even people are losing interest in IPL and we can see many vacant seats now a days. Moreover,those days there were no shopping malls,android phone, no Facebook, twitter nor Multiplex cinemas, no pizzahuts,no KFCs. Even if Pakistan wins, people will ask,"Pakistan zeet gaya kya ?".
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Dec 11, 2015 04:24pm
Citizen it seems you know very little about Pakistan .there are top of the class hotels in Pakistan comparable to any in the world.study before you comment
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Dec 11, 2015 04:28pm
@khan you are right.Bcci is the boss of world cricket.
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Dec 11, 2015 04:31pm
@Farukh good.. Please call PCB to cancel the match.
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Dec 11, 2015 04:32pm
I think some teams played quite well in the qualifiers.. They can replace Pakistan since pak is boycotting the tournament according to the earlier statements by PCB chief.
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Dec 11, 2015 04:39pm
@Farukh What lesson you are going to teach? India has refused to play any cricket series, a lesson taught.
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Dec 11, 2015 04:39pm
@khan Pakistan has no choice, as it has no money.
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Dec 11, 2015 04:51pm
@shaffiq qureshi And which team stays in it?
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Dec 11, 2015 04:51pm
I assume, Pakistan will boycott this match as India has backed-off from the MoU..is that correct?
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Dec 11, 2015 04:54pm
m fully agree dat pak must not play in India.
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Dec 11, 2015 05:09pm
@Farukh : Please go ahead and ask your admistrators to stop playing, we are game to any lesson
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Dec 11, 2015 05:11pm
Why should Pakistan team go to India at this point in time? Give India a walk-over!
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Dec 11, 2015 05:13pm
@Kabir because the ground is very beautiful and it is also the home town of anurag thakur who is the secretary of bcci and also the member of parliament.
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Dec 11, 2015 05:13pm
All d best ...
My brothers r saying boycott d wc
By doing this means keep money away..
As icc providing to all the teams ..n it also violate the rules and regulations.
Yes its true our govt showing attitude..only because of burden of people opions .
But we want peace ...both sides.
Want develop nation rather than developing..
Money on arms must utilize on development.. Happen only when there will b trust bw ind-pak
All d best again
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Dec 11, 2015 05:15pm
PSL needs money from India, that's why series is important.
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Dec 11, 2015 05:22pm
Pak should boycott the world cup but unfortunately we are not that kind of material.
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Dec 11, 2015 05:25pm
Does any one in the PCB know the meaning of the word "principle"? If yes, then boycott the world cup.
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Dec 11, 2015 05:32pm
Pakistan should boycott the T20 world cup to let world know that it won’t play India till Sumjohta Express criminal have been punished and RSS terrorists are banned.
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Dec 11, 2015 06:02pm
@Farukh I fully agree. Pakistan should not play in India.
Not safe and situation not right
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Dec 11, 2015 06:10pm
If Pakistan doesn't compete ,it is in no way going to effect the tournament.
Pakistan will further get isolated..
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Dec 11, 2015 06:14pm
Aussies will sweep all
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Dec 11, 2015 06:19pm
If I had an authority, I would not have degraded myself to go to such level as to beg India to play cricket with us. I don't know why PCB is so desperate for any cricket with India, I honestly think it is not something which is on Pakistani public's minds.
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Dec 11, 2015 06:53pm
the recent love in between pak and india was for this reason. the t20 announcement could be made, dialogue started, but no india-pak tests. indian chess games.
pak should not go to the t20
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Dec 11, 2015 07:09pm
If by any chance, Pakistan team reaches to play, it be back home after a mismatch with S-S !
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Dec 11, 2015 07:28pm
Logic behind the venue (Dharamsala) is that pakistan never played in Dharamsala they dont no the conditions dew factor ball is traveling more in the air so india can win easily.
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Dec 11, 2015 07:35pm
Pakistan should boycott this tournament due to security issue.
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Dec 11, 2015 07:38pm
Any why is Pakistan not pulling out of the WC after what BCCI did to incur financials losses on it? The answer is simple, spineless leadership at the top, both at the government level and PCB who have their own vested interests and national pride does not mean anything to them.
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Dec 11, 2015 07:41pm
no reason for Pakistan playing any game with India.
Under the present condition I find no reason that we should risk the life of
our players.
Just say Thank you.
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Dec 11, 2015 07:52pm
My question to the supporter of BCCI and GOI: Did BCCI and ICC asked Government of India before scheduling this match?
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Dec 11, 2015 07:54pm
@Nooru52 And what about earlier WC t20 matches?
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Dec 11, 2015 07:55pm
@mohammed Be my guest.
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Dec 11, 2015 07:59pm
PCB, are you reading all this or this falls on your deaf ears? No trip to India for cricket.PERIOD. Security concerns are big plus after what India did not hold their side of bargain to play Pak in Dubai, Pak should not travel to India. If Pak games of the WC T20 tournament can be played in Dubai instead of India, I would welcome that move.
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Dec 11, 2015 08:10pm
Not good! Pakistan is not doing so well in the T20 area. India is doing significantly better right now!
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Dec 11, 2015 08:23pm
That country is not safe for Pakistan players.No need to play any games in India.
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Dec 11, 2015 09:06pm
@Delhi wala There are lots of other things that are not good for cricket fans... like for instant the cancellation of Ind Pak series... that one series would have been a real treat for cricket fans but no go from Indian Government has robbed the cricket fans from that pleasure....
The fact of the matter is that Indian Government and BCCI are mixing the sports with politics which is against the sportsmen spirit. I personally think that Pakistan should not participate in the World T20 because the Indian Government is incapable to provide security to Pakistani people and supporters from the goons of Shiv Sena...
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Dec 11, 2015 09:09pm
I agree with most. Pakistan should not play WC with India unless the compensate Pakistan for lost revenue or arrange games in Dec. This is pathetic stance by India and BCCI...
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Dec 11, 2015 09:17pm
PCB should cancel this series since India can not keep up there promises and instead using PCB every now and then, Why should we be playing against them. Boycott them until unless they agree to play with us on our select menu. Tit for Tat. 'People are dying on boards and so we can't play cricket'. That's what INDIA said not us.
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Dec 11, 2015 09:20pm
I predict tha Bangladesh will win this T20 world cup.
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Dec 11, 2015 09:49pm
People opposing Pakistan going to the world cup 2016 for the fear of security should grow up in a hurry. This is a defeatist and hollow excuse. India can easily handle fascists like Shiv Sena. They are nothing but a bunch of thugs. Pakistan must go and show to the world it does not bear any grudge against the sport of cricket and Indian cricketers. Unlike India, this is called class. If Pakistan does decide not to send the team, it will only hurt its players from gaining experience and a positive applause. Finally, the great show will go on with or without the participation of Pakistan. I pray, common sense prevails.
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Dec 11, 2015 10:23pm
India does not want to play Pakistan in Dubai. It does not want to play in Abudhabi, does not want to play in Sri lanka. Does not want to play in Pakistan , does not want to play anywhere... but in India, yes. It will only play Pakistan in India, on it's home ground. A warped kind of psyche being exhibited.
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Dec 12, 2015 12:12am
@Farukh
Pakistan boycotted Moscow Olympics only to do defence deals with Russia a few decades later. Please hold on to your thoughts. If Pakistan boycotts WC then it will not be missed.
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Dec 12, 2015 12:26am
India refuses to play Pakistan citing diplomatic issues yet we'll be playing in T20 WC India?
I hope Pakistan has some pride left, we should boycott T20 WC and all tournaments matches with India until our diplomatic problems are resolved.
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Dec 12, 2015 12:32am
@suresh deshpande
You think that international cricket can afford to lose Pakistan with West Indies slumping near minnow status? Maybe the Big 3 can promote Nepal to take Pakistan's place.
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Dec 12, 2015 01:35am
PCB should realize that pakistan being in Group 2 has no chance of advancing further. Instead of going there and facing the harsh reality they should simply boycott the T2o WC, cite security concerns as a reason for boycott and stay back home. PCB can save a lot on expenditure that way.
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Dec 12, 2015 01:47am
I would say Pak should boycott WC20... !!!LOL
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Dec 12, 2015 04:33am
India is unsafe for any type of public events. Pakistan and other teams should call off playing in dangerous country like India.WT20 should not be played in India. ICC is putting the life of players in danger .
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Dec 12, 2015 04:46am
@Nooru52 what you have to say about previous World Cup encounters
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Dec 12, 2015 05:13am
Some Pakistani fans seem to be under the illusion that if Pakistan boycott T20 world cup in India it willl damage the tournament big time as they are under self opinion that Pakistan team is some kind of showstopper team. Hilarious. Anyway instead of 100 million bcci will make 90 million only if boycotted by Pakistan. On other hand the already financially crippled PCB, can it risk further loss in income and PSL may never takeoff
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Dec 12, 2015 06:47am
@Icon of Honesty And millions of visitors every year are wrong!!!
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Dec 12, 2015 10:05am
@Sunny don't worry, SAjust visited and nobody was shot at like Lankan players.
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Dec 12, 2015 11:34am
Many people are suggesting that Pakistan should boycott the worldT20 and not go to india. I personally do not believe that this is the right thing to do. We are already isolated and do not have many games on our hands. Plus this is an ICC event but if Pakistan do not participate in it, it would just be like IPL under ICC banner. The best possible reply to this scenario is to go out there and win it all. Try your best and win the Worldcup. That is the best reply....
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Dec 12, 2015 12:17pm
Dear PCB...Please show some self respect and don't send our cricketers to India.
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Dec 12, 2015 10:53pm
Pakistan is the best
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Dec 13, 2015 10:17pm
@suresh deshpande
Why do you indians play all other sports with Pakistan but cricket.
Then you say BCCI don't want to hurt PCB financialy.
All other cricket playing nations have no problems playing cricket with Pakistan in Dubai but indians
Talk some sense
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