According to the recent reports, BCCI is in no hurry of finalizing whether to play Pakistan in the upcoming ODI World Cup or not despite ICC has clarified that the tournament would go on as per schedule. Taking a direct jibe at ICC, a BCCI source said on Wednesday that cricket’s parent body had no role in it and the final decision will only be taken after Indian government gives a nod.
One of the sources of ANI in BCCI said, “ICC has nothing to do with it. If the government at that point in time feels we shouldn’t play, it’s obvious that we won’t play. The situation will get clearer after some time, a little closer to the World Cup.”
However, when asked about the matter, ICC CEO Dave Richardson had made it clear that there was no such indication from either BCCI or ICC that the match will be canceled.
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On Tuesday as per the quotes in PTI, Richardson said, “There is no indication that any (of the) matches at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will not go ahead as planned. Sport, in particular, cricket, has the wonderful ability to bring people together and unite communities and we will work with our Members on that basis.”
Doubts over the India-Pakistan World Cup match on June 16 at Manchester has come under scrutiny as a couple of former BCCI officials spoke about boycotting Pakistan in World Cup as the aftermath of the Pulwama attacks carried out by Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad that killed 44 Indian soldiers.
Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh came into the limelight urging the BCCI not to play Pakistan in the World Cup.
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Replying to the same, a senior BCCI official said, “Harbhajan had shared his point of view but he didn’t clarify what happens if we are again pitted against them in the semi-final or suppose final. Does that mean that we will be forfeiting World Cup semi-final or final? So we are all talking about hypothetical situations. For the record, India played Pakistan in a World Cup game in England in 1999 edition when Kargil War was at its peak.”
If India indeed decides to boycott the match then full points will be awarded to Pakistan.
