DHAKA — Bangladesh has welcomed Pakistan’s decision to boycott its T20 World Cup match against India, describing the move as a show of solidarity after Dhaka was excluded from the tournament, a senior Bangladeshi official said on Thursday.

Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul thanked Pakistan in a message posted on Facebook following confirmation by Shehbaz Sharif that Islamabad would not play the February 15 group-stage match against India.

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“Thank you, Pakistan,” Nazrul wrote, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced the decision in protest against Bangladesh’s exclusion from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Addressing his cabinet on Wednesday, Sharif said Pakistan took the decision after careful consideration, stressing that sport should not be mixed with politics. He said Islamabad believed Bangladesh had been treated unfairly and that Pakistan should stand by Dhaka in response.

Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the tournament after refusing to travel to India for its matches, citing security concerns. India is co-hosting the T20 World Cup alongside Sri Lanka. The International Cricket Council said it was not feasible to relocate Bangladesh’s fixtures so close to the start of the tournament, leading to its removal last month.

Pakistan’s government later announced that while its national team would participate in the tournament, it would boycott the high-profile group match against India scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka on February 15.

The ICC has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board of potential long-term consequences, saying selective participation could affect the global cricket ecosystem.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has criticised the ICC’s handling of the situation, accusing the governing body of applying double standards in its treatment of Bangladesh.

The controversy has heightened diplomatic and sporting tensions in South Asia and renewed debate over governance, security concerns and the role of politics in international cricket. The dispute traces back to the removal of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from a domestic franchise, a move that contributed to Bangladesh’s broader stance.