Islamabad- Former Pakistani players surprised with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decision of banning their own fans from waving non-Bangladeshi flags at the ongoing World Twenty20 tournament.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made the ruling on the eve of the countrys 44th Independence Day. Talking to a private media channel former Pakistan cricket team captain Javed Miandad said, "the move violated the spirit of the game. I am surprised at the decision." He said that Cricket is a game which harbours sportsman spirit and this decision violates that spirit. Another former captain, Mohammad Yousuf, urged the BCB to rethink.

"I am sure that the BCB will take this decision back because it defies logic and I am sure the International Cricket Council will seek some explanation," Yousuf said. Yousuf, who played 90 Tests and 288 ODIs for Pakistan, said he had always been warmly received in Bangladesh. Bangladesh and Pakistan face each other in a potentially crucial World T20 group match in Mirpur on Sunday.