No more Ind-Pak matches in World Cup group stages?
The BCCI has formally requested the ICC to avoid placing it alongside Pakistan in the group stages of global competitions following the worsening relations between the neighbours. The ICC had, until now, ensured the two are in the same group to capitalise on the hype surrounding an Ind-Pak match-up.
Discussing the issue ahead of its Special General Meeting (SGM) in Mumbai on Saturday, the BCCI decided to make the request to the international body as bilateral relations between India and Pakistan have worsened in the wake of the Uri terror attack and India's subsequent surgical strikes.
“Keeping in mind that the government has adopted a new strategy to isolate Pakistan and in view of the public sentiment in the country, we request ICC not to put India and Pakistan in the same pool of the multi-nation tournaments,” BCCI president Anurag Thakur was quoted as saying by PTI news agency.
He, however, added that India would play their neighbours if they face each other in the knock-outs when the situation is unavoidable.
India have not played Pakistan in a bilateral series since 2012 when they toured India. The BCCI has since avoided playing against Pakistan despite the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) making several attempts at having a bilateral series. The ICC had earlier admitted to “fixing” draws to ensure that the two teams are put in the same group in multi-nation tournaments.
“No doubt we want to try to put India versus Pakistan in our event,” ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said in January this year. “It’s hugely important from an ICC point of view. It’s massive around the world and the fans have come to expect it as well. It’s fantastic for the tournament because it gives it a massive kick.”
It appears that may not happen anymore after the BCCI's request, and it also appears that the odds have just been made worse for Pakistan's hopes of denting India's perfect record against them in international multi-national events.
The next international cricket tournament is the Champions Trophy that will be hosted by England in June 2017.
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