Government to have final say on India-Pakistan clash in World Cup: Niranjan Shah

The cricketing world is currently busy speculating whether India would play against Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup or boycott it as a mark of protest for the Pulwama attack. Over 40 Indian paramilitary troops were martyred in the attack last Thursday when an explosives-packed van rammed into a convoy transporting 2,500 security forces in the deadliest attack in Kashmir in 30 years. Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed the responsibility of the attack.

Unsurprisingly, there is outrage in the entire nation with the general public demanding boycott of Pakistan from every sector including cricket. From removing photos of Pakistan cricketers from the stadium to IMG-Reliance and DSport stopping the broadcast of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Indian cricketing fraternity is doing all it can to show its protest. All eyes are now on the World Cup as there is widespread call to boycott the Pakistan clash.

Now former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah has called for some decision to be taken on the matter. The 2019 World Cup will be held in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14 with India scheduled to play against Pakistan on June 16 in Manchester. Shah also said that the government will have the final say on the matter.

“India’s relations with Pakistan are at our lowest ebb. I ask COA to immediately call for SGM on deciding on India-Pakistan World Cup match. The decision however finally rests with the government. If the government decides, then BCCI will have to abide by it,” Shah told Times Now.

David Richardson on India-Pakistan clash

Meanwhile, the outgoing ICC CEO David Richardson has hinted that the game will go ahead as scheduled. Richardson said the ICC has not heard anything on the matter from BCCI or PCB.

“We haven’t written to the boards as yet,” Richardson told ESPNcricinfo. “Our thoughts are with the people that were impacted by the incident. And we are monitoring the situation with our members including the BCCI and PCB. Certainly, there are no indications any of the matches, including the Pakistan-India match, will not be played as planned at the World Cup. But as I say we will continue to monitor the situation.”

The situation is likely to become more clear during ICC’s quarterly meetings in Dubai next week, where representatives from both boards will have a chance to conduct discussions in person.

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