Sporting community needs to ostracize Pakistan: CoA's Vinod Rai
The Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai has stated that Pakistan should be ostracized just like South Africa were earlier banned from international cricket, due to their policy on apartheid. The BCCI has already written a letter to the ICC urging all nations to sever ties with nations that harbor terrorism. This comes in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack last week.
Rai looks at the bigger picture regarding World Cup
Regarding the World Cup, Rai is looking at the bigger picture, as he said, "We would be shooting in the foot if we don't play Pakistan in the World Cup. Our aim should be to ostracize Pakistan as a cricketing nation."
Rai cites example of South Africa
Rai went on to cite the example of South Africa. The nation was banned for 21 years from 1970 till 1991 in relation to the apartheid, which saw black South Africans being racially discriminated. "I believe something similar needs to be done with Pakistan. They should be banned from all sporting activities just like it happened with South Africa," Rai said.
Relations between India and Pakistan have hit a new low
The relations between India and Pakistan have hit a new low following a terror attack on a CRPF vehicle in Pulwama. The incident resulted in the death of over 40 soldiers with several others injured. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack. The organization is based out of Pakistan. The incident has left everyone in shock and anger.
World Cup: Decision on playing Pakistan to be taken later
Earlier, Rai had said that the BCCI will take a call after consulting the Indian Government in regards to playing against Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2019. "June 16 is very far away. We will take a call on that much later and in consultation with the government," he said. He also wanted the cricket community to shun Pakistan in the future.
Here's what ICC replied regarding BCCI's concerns over players' security
The BCCI had expressed its concerns over the Pulwama attack as well as security of Indian players in the letter to the ICC. Meanwhile, ICC chairman Shashank Manohar, said, "I have received the BCCI's letter. Security has, and always will be, the top priority of the ICC. When the board members meet in Dubai, we will show the BCCI all the security plans."
Indo-Pak World Cup match: Here's how the cricket fraternity reacted
The reaction from the cricket fraternity has been divided. Former players like Sourav Ganguly and Harbhajan Singh have called for boycotting the World Cup match against Pakistan. On the other hand, legends Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar want India to play against their arch-rivals. Tendulkar had said that he would 'hate' to give away two points to Pakistan in the World Cup.
