World Cup 2019 India-Pak clash: BCCI acting president puts ball in Govt’s court

Cuttack: Amidst the on-going debate whether India should play against Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acting president CK Khanna today categorically stated that the board will go by the decision of the Union Government on the issue. In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, there have been widespread calls for India to boycott their group-stage match against Pakistan in Manchester on June 16.

“The Committee of Administrators (CoA) recently announced that whatever the government advices, the BCCI will act accordingly. However, both the countries should play but the board will go by the decision of the government. Nevertheless, everybody should take it with a positive frame of mind and we hope that everything will work out well,” said Khanna in Cuttack.

Asked when the Committee of Administrators (CoA) is expected to hand over the powers back to BCCI, Khanna refused to comment as the matter is sub judice in Supreme Court.

Ahead of the T20I series against Australia, Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday had said, “Our sincere condolences to the families of CRPF soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama attack. We stand by what the nation wants to do and what the BCCI decides to do. We will go by what the government and the Board decides, we will respect that.”

In a tweet, Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “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 tournament. Having said that, for me India always comes first, so whatever my country decides, I will back the decision with all my heart.”