India 'to play or not to play' Pakistan in World Cup 2019: Who is saying what on boycott call over Pulwama attack
While Sachin Tendulkar has batted for the match, his former opening partner Sourav Ganguly is totally against any cricket with Pakistan.
India is facing a debate over the call to boycott the World Cup 2019 match against Pakistan at the Old Trafford in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. While the Committee of Administrators (CoA) running Indian cricket Friday decided against taking any stand on the World Cup clash against Pakistan, it also urged the ICC and other nations to "sever ties" with countries from where "terrorism emanates".
There has been a difference of opinion on whether India should play the June 16 match among the biggest names of Indian cricket. While the call to boycott the World Cup match came from some prominent names in Indian cricket such as senior off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and former captains Mohammed Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly, legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar had expressed different opinions.
The CoA, running the sport, said it is in talks with the government but would not take a stand just yet after a meeting to address the spiralling speculation around the match.
In the mail sent to the world body, which is in PTI's possession, the BCCI said it is concerned about the security of Indian players heading into the World Cup but refrained from making any mention of the Pakistan match.
"BCCI fears for the safety and security of players and match officials participating in upcoming ICC events including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Most countries from which the members of the ICC hail (including United Kingdom) have strongly condemned this terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with India," the letter stated.
"The BCCI trusts that the ICC and ECB will ensure that the most robust security is provided to players, match officials and fans of Indian cricket for the upcoming World Cup," it said.
It is understood that BCCI officials are also concerned that such a stand might cost them the hosting rights of the 2021 Champions Trophy and the 2023 World Cup.