BCCI can be banned if India boycott Pakistan match at ICC 2019 World Cup - Report
The calls for boycotting Pakistan at the upcoming ICC 2019 World Cup are peaking with every passing day. The pressure is increasing on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to act quickly and discuss the matter with the concerned authorities. However, the government has warned the top board against any hurried decision as boycotting Pakistan at an event of the magnitude of the World Cup can result in India suffering.
As per a report in NDTV, India's decision to boycott Pakistan at the World Cup can draw a furious reaction from ICC and BCCI could be handed a ban by the international body. The Pulwama terror attack which saw 40 CRPF soldiers attain martyrdom after a suicide bombing attack by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad, has evoked the emotions of millions across the country.
Several leading names from the cricket fraternities along with the fans have also demanded to boycott Pakistan at the World Cup. “We should not get isolated in order to isolate Pakistan,” a government source was quoted as saying by NDTV. “Punitive action can be taken against us. ICC can even impose ban on BCCI," the source further added.
The likes of Harbhajan Singh, Sourav Ganguly and Mohammad Azharuddin have called for Pakistan to be boycotted at the World Cup. However, the BCCI has made it clear that the final decision in the matter remains in the hands of the government. The BCCI and CoA will be conducting a meeting tomorrow to discuss the India-Pakistan cricketing ties, in wake of the Pulwama attack.
India are scheduled to face Pakistan on June 16 at Old Trafford in Manchester and the much-anticipated encounter is unarguably the biggest tie at the showpiece event with over 4,00,000 applications for tickets of the game, while the stadium can only accommodate 25,000 people. India and Pakistan last met at the Asia Cup last year with India winning both the games against Sarfraz Ahmed's men.