BCCI to ICC: 'Sever ties' with nations harbouring terrorism

The Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), which met in New Delhi on Friday, decided to consult 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 a letter was sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC) raising its concerns about its players’ security during the 2019 World Cup that is scheduled to kick-off on May 30. “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 if India would 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 requested the ICC to ask its members to “sever ties with countries from which terror emanates”, without naming Pakistan.

ET has accessed the copy of the letter sent by Rahul Johri, CEO, BCCI, to Shashank Manohar (chairman, ICC), David Richardson (CEO, ICC), Colin Graves (chairman, ECB), and Steve Elworthy, managing director of the 2019 World Cup.

In the letter, Johri has voiced the BCCI’s concerns and sentiments that have emerged after the Pulwama terror attack that resulted in the death of 44 Indian security personnel.

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

The letter also expresses the BCCI’s concerns over the safety and security of fans of Indian cricket at the upcoming World Cup.

“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,” the letter states.

NO IPL OPENING CEREMONY

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 channel 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.