Not seeking World Cup ban for Pakistan: India

NEW DELHI: The Committee of Administrators (CoA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have not prepared any note seeking a ban on Pakistan at the upcoming World Cup and even if such a move is made, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is bound to reject it.

The Pulwama terror attack has escalated the diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, the reverberations of which are also being felt in the sporting arena.

Already, Pakistani shooters could not make the World Cup in Delhi, starting Saturday, after not getting visas. And there is a demand for India to boycott their June 16 World Cup clash against Pakistan and the matter is likely to come up on the sidelines of the ICC meetings from February 27 to March 2 in Dubai.

“There is absolutely no constitutional or contractual way this could happen. The ICC constitution allows members the right to participate in ICC events as long as they’ve qualified,” a BCCI official said.

According to Article 2.3 (H) of the ICC’s constitution, each member subject to meeting any relevant qualification criteria can participate in cricket events organised and sanctioned by the ICC.

Amid the spiralling speculation, the CoA, comprising Chairman Vinod Rai and former women’s captain Diana Edulji, will be meeting in Delhi on Friday to discuss the issue of multiple bodies claiming representation of Uttarakhand. But the Pakistan conundrum is likely to cast a shadow on what was to be a routine meet.

“We will discuss all possible options tomorrow and do what is best for the country,” Edulji said.

A top BCCI source said even if a note is sent and the 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 2021 Champions Trophy and 2023 World Cup,” he added.

Outgoing ICC chief Dave Richardson on Tuesday said the cricket’s governing body had no reasons to make any changes to the proposed World Cup schedule and that all matches will be played as scheduled.

“No indications have been sent from either board about the World Cup clash not taking place,” Richardson told Cricinfo in London, where he was present to mark the 100-day countdown to the tournament. “We haven’t written to the boards as yet.”

“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.”