Pakistan to seek govt's advice in potential India T20 finals clash: Agha

COLOMBO, Feb 05 (AFP): Pakistan will seek advice from their government if they reach the knockout phase of the T20 World Cup and meet arch-rivals India, captain Salman Agha said on Thursday.
The tournament has been marred by an acrimonious political build up after Bangladesh were kicked out and Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A match.
However, a semi-final or final showdown between the uneasy South Asian neighbours is still a possibility.
"The India game is not in our control. It was the government's decision and if we have to play them in the semi-final or the final, we will go back to them and act on their advice," Agha told reporters in Colombo.
Bangladesh refused to play in India, citing security concerns, as relations soured and were kicked out of Group C by the International Cricket Council, to be replaced by Scotland.
Pakistan backed Bangladesh's plea to have their games moved to Sri Lanka.
The government in Islamabad cleared the national team to take part but ordered them not to play in the marquee group match against India on February 15.
"It's sad Bangladesh are not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully they will support us," Agha said.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in multinational events.
They will face Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States in the group stage.
"We're excited to play in this tournament. We lost to USA in the last World Cup and we are determined to put that disappointment behind us and put a few things right," Agha said.
Meanwhile, India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.
"We haven't said no to playing them (Pakistan)," Yadav told reporters at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday's opening day.
"They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo."
India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.
The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.