“After a lot of drama, we have come back to the same place” - Aakash Chopra on Pakistan’s U-turn on India game boycott

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has opened up on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to end their boycott drama for their group stage clash against India, scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 15, in Colombo.

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Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Chopra asserted that after a lot of drama, the match is finally scheduled to take place as per the original date and time. Notably, ICC rejected all of PCB’s demands during the talks between the ICC, PCB and BCB.

"The developing story is that Pakistan have made a U-turn. God knows what their demands were. This game will be played on February 15. After a lot of drama, we have come back to the same place. The match was on the 15th and will be played on the 15th," Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"Bangladesh were out and they are out. Mustafizur Rahman wasn't playing the IPL and he isn't playing the IPL. What tangible changes have happened in this time period - I don't know. I have no idea whatsoever," he observed.

"Some people in Pakistan are celebrating that they got what they demanded. Now let's see what their demands were. The ICC has released a nicely-worded media advisory. Pakistan's one demand was that even though Bangladesh aren't taking part in the tournament, they should get their revenue share from the tournament. The ICC hasn't said anything about giving that," he said.

"Pakistan had also demanded that they should get an increased share of ICC revenue. The ICC hasn't said anything about that as well. There is no mention whatsoever. There are two ICC events, under-19 in 2028 and the ODI World Cup in 2031, Pakistan wanted them to be hosted in Bangladesh. There also, it's written that the tournaments before 2031 go forward as scheduled. 2031 is not mentioned at all," he concluded.

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