India To Not Lose Points Even After Boycotting Pakistan In World Cup

Speculations are rife over whether India-Pakistan game in the upcoming ICC World Cup in the wake of the Pulwama attack last week that claimed the lives of 44 CRPF personnels. The cricketing ties between the two nations is set to deteriorate further.

Indian cricket fraternity has already started showing protest to Pakistan by taking several measures. And there are now doubts over the World Cup clash between the two countries.  India are set to lock horns against their arch-rivals on June 16 in Manchester. But with the public demanding the boycott of the game, there are huge doubts over whether the game will go ahead. The likes of Harbhajan Singh, Rajeev Shukla and several other big names have already echoed the popular sentiments.

But amidst all these, there are apprehensions that India could lose two valuable points if they forfeit the game.

In such a crucial tournament, losing a solitary point could make a big difference let along throwing away two points. However, there is a different side to the story which will be welcomed by the Indian fans. A Special General Meeting of the board took place on June 22 last year and the BCCI is yet to sign the Members Participation Agreement (MPA). Consequently, India have the ball in their own court and can can decide whether to play Pakistan or not.

“The BCCI had resolved at the Special General Meeting that the members participation agreement shall not be executed without the authorisation of the general body of the BCCI and the BCCI reserves all its rights regarding the MPA and regarding its participation in any other multi-nation tournament or games not covered by the MPA. That answers your question,” BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry said while speaking to Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile, latest reports suggest that the BCCI is likely to request the ICC to not allow Pakistan in the World Cup for harbouring terrorism. A clear picture will come forward once the ICC meeting takes place in Dubai later this month.