Will India play Pakistan at ICC World Cup 2019?

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) is to pass a very crucial decision today as the matter regarding India playing Pakistan in the upcoming world cup 2019 clash is to be settled in a meeting on Friday.

The consultations will take place between BCCI, the Indian Sports Ministry, Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs on the grounds of cricketing ties with Pakistan.

According to a report in Times of India, India's boycott from the World Cup, after the Pulwama attack, could fall back on the country as the BCCI could be handed over a ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) draw a furious reaction.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) added an additional member - Lt General (retd) Ravindra Thodge, former Master General Ordnance (MGO) at Indian Army on Thursday, which drafted a letter for the ICC mentioning various reasons as to why India should boycott playing Pakistan in the world cup.

Shedding light on the matter, a BCCI official suggested that by refusing to play Pakistan, only India would be at a loss as the opposing team would keep getting the points and walkovers, depending on the stage at which the match is forfeited.

“Simple. Points (in the league stage) and forfeiture (in knockouts),” said an official. “If India don’t play Pakistan, or anybody for that matter, it is India’s loss. Pakistan will earn those points without playing if India forfeits. Forget legal implications and all, they really don’t matter.”

Meanwhile, India is scheduled to play Pakistan on June 16 at Old Trafford in Manchester at ICC World Cup 2019.