Don’t forsee threat to Indo-Pak World Cup match: ICC

Karachi, March 18 

International Cricket Council CEO Dave Richardson said he doesn’t forsee any threat to the high-profile India-Pakistan World Cup match, insisting that the two teams are bound by an ICC agreement to show up. 

“For ICC events, all teams have signed a members’ participation agreement which requires them to participate in all the matches of the tournament and (in case of) any unjustified non-compliance with that provision, the playing conditions will kick in and the points will be awarded accordingly to the other team,” he said.

There were demands that India should boycott the game against Pakistan in the World Cup in Manchester on June 16 in the wake of last month’s Pulwama terror attack.

Another controversy erupted when Indian team wore camouflage military caps during the third ODI against Australia in Ranchi as a mark of respect to the CRPF personnel who were killed in the Pulwama attack and donated its match fee to the National Defence Fund. Pakistan strongly objected to the gesture and wrote to the world body, accusing India of politicising the game. The ICC, however, said the Indian team took prior permission from it and there was no political motive involved.

“In this case, it was a one-off consent. It was granted subject to the message around the wearing of the caps simply being sympathy with the people, who had lost their lives in the Pulwama attack and in particular, to help them raise funds for the families of the people who had lost their lives,” Richardson said. “The ICC’s motto is clear we don’t want to mix politics with sports,” he added. Asked about the ICC’s role in the resumption of bilateral ties between India and Pakistan, Richardson said it was completely up to the two cricketing boards. The ICC CEO said the perception about Pakistan among the rest of the world is slowly changing and the world body is supporting its member board to bring back international cricket to the nation. 

Music-filled PSL closing ceremony

“Cricket must not be stopped due to terrorism,” PCB chief Ehsan Mani said, defending the decision to organise a music-filled PSL closing ceremony despite terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch. PCB is facing public ire for not being sensitive enough considering that at least 50 people were killed in the terrorist attack. Mani said the ceremony was actually ‘toned down’. — Agencies

POST NZ SHOOTING, NO COMPLACENCY

• WELLINGTON: There is no question of being complacent with security at this year’s World Cup following a mass shooting at two Christchurch mosques last week, ICC has said. ICC chief executive David Richardson said security was always an issue for his organisation and ensuring the May 30-July 14 World Cup in England and Wales was safe would be a priority. “It has always been the case that we’ve had to make sure that we keep security absolutely priority, not only for the players but also for the visiting media, fans, spectators and everyone who attends the event,” Richardson said. — Reuters