India lose by not playing Pak in World Cup, says Gavaskar

New Delhi, February 21 

India stand to lose by boycotting Pakistan in the upcoming ODI World Cup in the UK, feels former captain Sunil Gavaskar, who said the country can continue to “hurt them” by shunning bilateral ties. “Who wins if India decide against playing Pakistan in the World Cup? And I am not even talking about the semifinals and the final. Who wins? Pakistan win because they get two points,” Gavaskar said.

“India have so far beaten Pakistan every time in the World Cup, so we are actually conceding two points, when by beating Pakistan, we could make sure that they don’t advance in the competition. But I am with the country, whatever the government decides, I am with it totally. If the country wants we should not play Pakistan, I am with them,” he added. The bilateral cricketing ties between the two countries have already been suspended since 2012 and the teams last played a full series in 2007. “Where does it hurt Pakistan? It hurts them when they don’t play a bilateral series against India. In a multi-team event, India will lose by not playing them. I know India are strong enough side to qualify even after conceding those two points but why not beat them and make sure they don’t qualify,” argued Gavaskar.

Can’t block Pak from World Cup: BCCI official

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) and BCCI have not prepared any note seeking a ban on Pakistan at the upcoming World Cup, according to a top BCCI official. Even if such a move were to be made, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is bound to reject it, he said. A cricket website had reported that BCCI had prepared a “draft letter asking the ICC to ban Pakistan from participating in the upcoming World Cup”. The report said BCCI had argued that Pakistan should be banned from the World Cup given the Indian government’s stand that the country is supporting terrorism in India.

However, a top BCCI official said: “There is absolutely no constitutional or contractual way this could happen.” He said even if a note is sent and ICC agrees to put it out in front of member boards for a vote, India is unlikely to find any support from other nations. “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 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 the 2021 Champions Trophy and 2023 World Cup,” he added. — PTI, TNS