BCCI is contemplating something that has never been done before. Not even during Kargil war.
Whenever tension between India and Pakistan escalate, cricket has always been the casualty. India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012-2013. Before that, they played a Test series in 2007. But the cricketing ties were suspended in the wake of 26/11 Mumbai attack.
Now, BCCI has decided to ask ICC to put them in separate groups in ICC champion’s trophy to be played next year.
BCCI has taken the decision to write to ICC months in advance to give them ample time to amend schedule.
BCCI doesn’t want Indian team to play Pakistan. Though, if India and Pakistan reach the semi-finals of the tournament, then they will have to play against each other.
“I will be suggesting to the ICC that looking at the current situation between both countries it is not advisable to have India and Pakistan in one group of Champions Trophy as there could be situation like we had in India during India vs Pakistan T20 World game in Dharamshala where we had to shift the game at the last moment,” the Indian Express quoted him as saying.
He added, “There could be security issues. So in order the organisers don’t face problems which we did during T20 World Cup, I will be suggesting to the ICC in our next meeting in October in South Africa that it will be better if we don’t have two teams in the same group.”
India and Pakistan have had a history of suspension of bilateral cricket relations. But, they have played in ICC tournaments. Even during Kargil war, India and Pakistan played each other in the World Cup. India had defeated Pakistan in the match, prompting wild celebrations in the country.
This will be the first time that they India will make such kind of requests.
India on Wednesday carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and kashmir inflicting “significant casualties”.
This came after the September 18 cross-border terror attack on an Indian Army camp at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers.
