Ex-Pak players slam Bangladesh's decision to ban local fans from waving 'foreign' flags in World T20

Former Pakistani players have slammed the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) decision to ban the local fans from waving non-Bangladeshi flags during the ongoing World Twenty20 tournament.

The BCB made the ruling on the eve of the country's 44th Independence Day following an outcry over images of locals waving Pakistani flags during the recent Asia Cup.

According to Sport24, former Pakistani captain Javed Miandad slammed the move, saying that it violated the spirit of the game as cricket is a game that harbours sportsmanship spirit, while another former captain Mohammad Yousuf urged the BCB to rethink their decision, saying that it defies logic and believing that the ICC will be seeking an explanation.

Yousuf, who played 90 Tests and 288 ODIs for Pakistan, said he had always been warmly received in Bangladesh and added that he has also seen the home fans want to support Pakistan whenever their own team is not competing against Pakistan.

Agreeing with Yousuf, another former captain Younis Khan said that the decision is against the spirit of the game, adding that no one can stop a person from supporting his favourite team.

Bangladesh and Pakistan face each other in a potentially crucial World T20 group match in Mirpur on Sunday, the report added.