Keep Pakistan out of Cricket World Cup, BCCI to tell ICC in wake of Pulwama terror attack
Vinod Rai has told BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to write to ICC, asking the world cricket governing body to keep Pakistan out of the 2019 ICC World Cup.
In Short
- Rahul Johri has been told by Vinod Rai to write to ICC asking for Pakistan to be kept out of the 2019 Cricket World Cup
- Vinod Rai has asked Rahul Johri that the letter should say India not in any mood to engage in any cricket with Pakistan
- Rahul Johri, according to sources in BCCI, will represent BCCI at some of the ICC meets starting Feburary 27
In an internal communication, Committee of Administrators (CoA) Chairman Vinod Rai has asked Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri to write a letter to the International Cricket Council asking for Pakistan be kept out of the cricket World Cup for continuing to harbour terrorists.
According to sources in the BCCI, Rahul Johri has also been asked by Vinod Rai that the letter should say that the mood in India is not to engage in any cricket with Pakistan.
Rahul Johri would be representing BCCI at some of the ICC meets starting February 27, with the COA possibly meeting on Friday to discuss the matter further.
Former Indian cricketer and current UP Cabinet Minister Chetan Chauhan, in an exclusive to Aaj Tak, had called for India to put pressure on the ICC to "throw Pakistan out of the 2019 Cricket World Cup".
"World Cup, Olympics is decided years ahead. We don't play bilateral series with Pakistan. The best thing to do is to throw Pakistan out of the World Cup. Every country is worried with the growth of terrorism in Pakistan. It's a problem for everyone. We should exert pressure on ICC to throw Pakistan out of the World Cup," Chauhan told Aaj Tak.
"If Pakistan do not play the World Cup, it won't make any difference. If India do not play, the ICC will suffer losses. India bring in 65 to 70 per cent of the sponsorship," Chauhan said.
India cricketer Harbhajan Singh said India should not play Pakistan in the World Cup after Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the ghastly attack in Pulwama.
"India should not play Pakistan in the World Cup. India are powerful enough to win the World Cup without having to play Pakistan," Harbhajan Singh told Aaj Tak.
He added: "This is a difficult time. The attack that has happened, it was unbelievable and it's very wrong. Strict action will surely be taken by the government. When it comes to cricket, I don't think we should have any relations with them otherwise they will keep treating us like this.
Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also called for a ban in cricket ties with Pakistan.
"I cannot make any comment [on cricket issues] except to say those who are demanding it have some justification. You can see many films and concerts have been cancelled. Things are not normal. If things are not normal, the jhappiyan-pappiyan (hugs and kisses) issues have always been there," Prasad told India Today.
(With inputs from Rasesh Mandani)