BCCI to ICC: Sever ties with terror nations

Chandigarh, February 22

The Indian cricket board (BCCI), taking a bold policy stand, has requested the International Cricket Council and international cricket community to “sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates”.

“This communication is being addressed to voice the BCCI’s concerns and sentiments that have emerged after the recent dastardly terrorist attack which was carried out on Indian soil by a terror outfit based out of Pakistan which resulted in the death of 44 Indian security personnel,” BCCI wrote to ICC today.

“Most countries from which the members of the ICC hail (including United Kingdom) have strongly condemned this terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with India,” the communication, signed by CEO Rahul Johri, added. “BCCI urges the cricketing community to sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates.”

The decision to send this communication to ICC was taken at a BCCI meeting today, which was chaired by the three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) and attended by CEO Johri.

This was the first BCCI meeting for Lt Gen (Retd) Ravi Thodge, who was yesterday appointed the third member of CoA by the Supreme Court. The two other CoA members — chairman Vinod Rai and former cricketer Diana Edulji — have been sparring in public over several issues over the past few months. It is hoped that with Thodge’s appointment, the differences between Rai and Edulji could be managed internally. Thodge was thrown into the deep end right on Day 1 as Pakistan-origin terrorism became the key issue discussed in the meeting. BCCI’s request to ICC indicates a big departure from the past, when relations between BCCI and the Pakistan cricket authorities had remained cordial even in difficult times.

Safety at World Cup

No decision was made at today’s meeting about whether to play Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup, but BCCI did express concern about the safety of players and fans at the ICC events, including the World Cup.

“In view of the aforesaid terrorist attack, BCCI fears for the safety and security of players and match officials participating in upcoming ICC events including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019,” the BCCI communication said.

“The BCCI also wishes to express its concerns over the safety and security of fans of Indian cricket at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The BCCI trusts that the ICC and ECB will ensure that the most robust security is provided to players, match officials and fans of Indian cricket for the upcoming World Cup. The BCCI reserves all its rights and entitlements in this regard,” it concluded. After the meeting, Rai himself said that there is time yet before making a decision on playing Pakistan in the World Cup. “The 16th of June (date of the India-Pakistan match) is very far away. We will take a call on that much later and in consultation with the government,” Rai said. — TNS