Who Is Saying What On Call To Boycott Pakistan In ICC World Cup 2019

The bilateral relationship between India and Pakistan have deteriorated further after the Pulwama attack last week. In one of the deadliest attacks in Kashmir,  40 CRPF personnels lost their lives when a terrorist from Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-E-Mohammed rammed an explosive-laden SUV into the CRPF convoy. Since then the Indian and Pakistani cricketing fraternity has been busy discussing on the matter.

In the latest development, the BCCI has now written to the International Cricket Council, asking the “cricketing community to sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates”.  BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, on Friday, wrote to ICC chief executive Dave Richardson and chairman Shashank Manohar to bring the Pulwama incident to ICC’s notice, and reiterated that the attack was carried out by an “outfit based in Pakistan”.

The BCCI also expressed “its concerns over the safety and security” of its players, fans and match officials “in the buildup to the marquee clash in the World Cup on June 16 in Manchester.”

So as the high-profile names continue to comment over the issue, we take a look at all the statements that have come out so far.

Ravi Shastri, India head coach (to Times Now):

“It’s entirely left to the BCCI and the government. They know exactly what is happening and they will take a call. We will go by what they decide. If the government says it’s that sensitive you do not need to play the World Cup, I will go by my government.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pakistan captain (to cricketpakistan.com.pk):

“The India and Pakistan match should be played as per schedule as there are millions of people who want to watch this game. I just don’t think cricket should be targeted for political gains. It is disappointing to see cricket being targeted after the Pulwama incident. I don’t recall Pakistan ever mixing sports with politics.”

Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain (to India Today):

“Who wins in that case if India decide not to play against Pakistan in the World Cup? And I am not even looking ahead to semifinals and finals. Who wins? Pakistan wins. They get two points.

“India has every time so far beaten them in the World Cup, so we are actually conceding two points when we could, by beating Pakistan (in the group stage), actually make sure that they don’t qualify for the knockout. I know emotions are running high, but that needs to be looked at with a little more depth.

“They can try but it will not happen (ICC boycott of Pakistan). It will not happen because the other member countries have to accept that. I can’t see other member countries accepting that. So while India can certainly go ahead and try to do that, I don’t think it is likely to happen because the other countries might say “look, it is an internal issue between two countries so please don’t involve us.””

Sachin Tendulkar, former India batsman (on Twitter):

“India has always come up trumps against Pakistan in the World Cup. Time to beat them once again. Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament. Having said that, for me India always comes first, so whatever my country decides, I will back that decision with all my heart.”

“It’s not in our hands. If BCCI says, we will play, if they say no then we won’t. I think it is high time we need to take firm action. I am not saying all people there (Pakistan) are at fault but those who are responsible should be acted against.”

Sourav Ganguly, former India captain (on India TV):

“This is a 10-team World Cup and every team plays every team and I feel if India doesn’t play a match in the World Cup, it won’t be an issue. ICC can’t go on with a World Cup without India and I feel it will be really difficult for ICC to go on with a World Cup without India. But, you also have to see if India have the power to stop ICC from doing such a thing.”

Harbhajan Singh, India offspinner (to India Today):

“India should not play Pakistan in the World Cup. India are powerful enough to win the World Cup without having to play Pakistan. One mistake will not correct the other one. Since we played in 1999 does not mean we should go ahead and do it again. We need to stand with our government and our soldiers. This is the time to talk and have a discussion which is far, far bigger than the World Cup. World Cup is not everything. Our country comes first, our soldiers come first and our government comes first. Cricket is not our first priority, our priority is our nation.”

Javed Miandad, former Pakistan captain (to Dawn):

“I felt bad after hearing about our pictures being removed from their (Indian) stadiums. Now this talk of boycotting the World Cup. I think India need to understand they can face consequences of such an action. I don’t understand the mindset. Do they really think they (India) can get away without playing the World Cup match?”

Kapil Dev, former India captain :

“To play or not to play is something which does not have to be decided by people like us. It has to be decided by the government. It’s better if we don’t give an opinion and leave it to the government and concerned people. Whatever they decide will be in the interest of the nation. We’ll do what they want.”