CWC 2019: BCCI likely to consult senior Team India players over boycotting Pakistan in World Cup

In wake of Pulwama terrorist attacks, there are calls for India to boycott its WC match against Pakistan.

BCCI will take the final decision on whether to boycott WC match against Pakistan or not | AFP

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is most likely to consult the top brass of Indian team and then take a call on whether to boycott Pakistan in their upcoming ICC 2019 World Cup match on June 16 in Old Trafford.

As per sources, the BCCI officials are waiting for a discussion with captain Virat Kohli, head coach Ravi Shastri and former captain MS Dhoni before deciding on the issue. BCCI CEO Rahul Johri will also 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 and briefed the new CoA member Lt General Ravi Thodge about the issue as well.

If India boycotts Pakistan and decides not to play them in the World Cup, the board is looking at a huge financial loss and maybe even sanctions and fines could be levied by the ICC.

The current mood in the country is that India should not play Pakistan in the World Cup, especially after the Pulwama terrorist attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred after a Pakistan based terror outfit’s suicide bomber rammed an SUV full of explosives in a bus ferrying the jawans in Awantipora, Srinagar on February 14.   

Vinod Rai had reportedly asked the Rahul Johri to write a letter to the ICC asking them to ban Pakistan from the World Cup. 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.

"We will discuss the procedures to be followed and the way forward. All the concerned ministries, External affairs, Sports, Home will be consulted," CoA member Edulji said.

"There is absolutely no constitutional or contractual way this could happen. The ICC constitution allows members the right to participate in ICC events as long as they've qualified," a BCCI official told PTI.

"In case India writes to ICC for Pakistan's removal, then we have to build consensus first to move a resolution at its Annual Board Meeting in April. We no longer enjoy a majority in the ICC board right now. If this goes for floor test, we are certain to lose," he said.

"Not only that, serious doubts will emerge on our chances to host 2021 Champions Trophy and 2023 World Cup," he added.

The matter is now likely to come up on the sidelines of the ICC meetings between February 27 to March 2 in Dubai.

(indiatoday.in/PTI inputs)

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 22 Feb, 2019

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