India vs Pakistan Match in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 to be Played Despite Pulwama Attack, Suggests Dave Richardson
Notably, India is planned to face Pakistan in the first round of World Cup 2019. The match will be held on June 16 in Manchester.
New Delhi, February 20: Despite chorus turning stronger for Team India's boycott of the scheduled match against Pakistan in World Cup 2019, International Cricket Council chief Dave Richardson has suggested that the contest will be held as per the schedule. Speaking to reporters, Richardson condemned the heinous terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir's Pulwama, but added that he does not foresee a complete boycott of cricketing ties between the two subcontinental nations.
Richardson, however, reiterated that the ICC extends condolences to the victims of the terror attack in Pulwama, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident," he added. Mohammad Shami Donates to Families of Pulwama Martyrs, Follows in Virendra Sehwag's Footsteps.
"There is no indication that any (of the) matches at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will not go ahead as planned," Richardson was reported as saying.
On the contrary, he said sports, "in particular cricket", could lead to a thaw in Indo-Pak relations, which has remained on shaky grounds over the last two decades.
Notably, India is planned to face Pakistan in the first round of World Cup 2019, on June 16. The match will be held in Manchester.
While the ICC CEO is of the view that cricket should not be affected due to the tensions on the Indo-Pak border, prominent Indian cricketers and top BCCI officials have called for an abrogation of all sporting ties with the neighbouring nation.
"When it comes to cricket, I don’t think we should have any relations with them otherwise they will keep treating us like this,” said revered spinner Harbhajan Singh. Similar views were reiterated by former opening batsman Gautam Gambhir, who has appealed the Indian government to launch a stiff retaliation against Pakistan for "abetting" the terror strike in Pulwama.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2019 08:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).