BCCI puts ball in government’s court over India’s match against Pakistan in Cricket World Cup

MUMBAI: The Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), which met in New Delhi on Friday, has decided to consult with the government on whether or not India should play against Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup after many fans and former players urged the BCCI to boycott the match.

Vinod Rai, chairman of CoA, said that BCCI will also send a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and raise its concerns about its players’ security during the 2019 World Cup that is scheduled to kick-off on May 30.

CoA’s meeting, which went on for over an hour, Rai told reporters that BCCI’s letter will “mention” the concerns after the Pulwama terrorist attack.


“We have told them clearly that security of the players should be appropriately taken care of at the 2019 World Cup,” Rai said.

When asked about if India will boycott the June 16 match against Pakistan in Manchester, Rai said that the game is still three months away. “We will take a call on that at a later date in consultation with the government,” he said.

BCCI has also communicated to the ICC that in future India will not engage in ties with nations sponsoring terrorism, without naming Pakistan.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, the CoA also decided to do away with the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League, scheduled to start on March 23rd. Instead, the money will be given to families of those CRPF personals who lost their lives in Pulwama.

Ravi Shastri, head coach of the Indian cricket team, meanwhile, in an interview to English news channels Mirror NOW, stated that the team will follow the BCCI and the government’s decision. “...(the BCCI and the government) know exactly what is happening and they will take a call. We will go by what they decide,” Shastri said.