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ICC warns BCCI: India likely to lose proposal to ban Pakistan from World Cup
Kashmir Times. Dated: 2/23/2019 1:53:01 AM
NEW DELHI, Feb 22(Agencies): ICC has hinted that the BCCI is likely to lose the proposal of throwing Pakistan out of the World Cup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put the ball in the government's court to decide on India's World Cup match against Pakistan. India and Pakistan are scheduled to face-off in the World Cup in Manchester on June 16.
Meanwhile, India Today has learnt the International Cricket Council (ICC) has hinted that the BCCI is likely to lose the proposal of throwing Pakistan out of the showpiece event starting May 30.
The BCCI officials along with the members of the Committee of Administrators met in New Delhi on Friday to decide on the issue of boycotting the World Cup match against Pakistan.
" June 16 , India vs Pakistan match in World Cup is very far away. We will take a call on that much later and in consultations with the government," COA chairman Vinod Rai said.
"We'll write to ICC expressing our concerns about attacks that took place & that security of players, officials & everybody else must be taken care of. We're telling cricketing community that in future we must sever ties with nations from where terror emanates," he added.
BCCI is also likely to consult Team India and then decide on whether to play against Pakistan or not in the ICC World Cup in May-June. The Indian cricket board officials and the Committee of Administrators decided to wait and have a word with captain Virat Kohli, coach Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni before coming out with a concrete solution, according to sources.
BCCI CEO Rahul Johri is also expected to raise this issue in the International Cricket Council meeting on February 26.
The BCCI and COA members - Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji - met in New Delhi on Friday where they discussed the matter along with the new CoA member Lt General Ravi Thodge.
The board would be staring at a huge financial loss and even a hefty fine from the ICC if they indeed decide to forfeit the June 16 group match against Pakistan in the World Cup.
It was reported earlier that the BCCI was mulling a forfeit following the Pulwama terror attack last week in which the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) lost 40 jawans.
Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the ghastly attack in which a bus filled with the paramilitary troops was blown up on February 14.
Vinod Rai had even asked Rahul Johri to write a letter to the ICC asking them to ban Pakistan from the World Cup, according to reports. But it wasn't clear as to whether Johri had prepared a letter or not. But even if such a move is made, the ICC is bound to reject it.
Edulji however, did say that the COA will seek the Indian government's opinion before taking any drastic measures. "We will discuss the procedures to be followed and the way forward. All the concerned ministries, External affairs, Sports, Home will be consulted," she said.
A BCCI official also made it clear even before the meeting that the board does not have the power or authority to stop any team from competing in an ICC event.