NEW DELHI (Kashmir English): India’s Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI has ruled out boycotting matches against Pakistan in upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments.
The explanation followed after former England skipper Mike Atherton, in his recent column, asked the ICC to refrain from intentionally placing Pakistan-India matches in each international tournament for money.
Atherton contended that repeatedly putting the two arch-rivals in the same group has made cricket a political show.
He urged the ICC to be transparent in tournament draws before the next broadcast period, with the suggestion that if India and Pakistan did not play each other organically in the draw, so be it. Atherton also said serious tournaments should not be formatted for money motives.
His remarks were prompted by recent incidents in the Asia Cup, when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav reportedly snubbed Pakistan’s captain Agha Salman at the toss by not shaking his hand and then refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who is a Pakistani.
Rebutting Atherton’s comments, a BCCI official informed Indian media that it is an easy suggestion to make, but not feasible.
“Would sponsors and broadcasters sign up for this?” the official questioned, further stating that if any big team, including India, pulled out of a tournament, it would be very hard to find sponsorships.
It is noteworthy that because of India’s refusal to receive the trophy for the Asia Cup, the title itself stays at the ACC office in Dubai.
Mohsin Naqvi has mentioned that if the Indian team wishes to have the trophy, Suryakumar Yadav himself needs to come to the ACC office to take it.
