BCCI writes to ICC, urges cricket world to 'severe ties with countries emanating terrorism'
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday urged the international cricketing community to "severe ties with countries from which terrorism emanates".
In a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), which India TV has access to, BCCI CEO Rahul Johri raised the board's concerns for the safety and security of Indian players participating in the upcoming 2019 ICC World Cup in wake of last week's deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama which killed 40 CRPF personnel.
"This communication is being addressed to voice the BCCI's concerns and sentiments that have emerged after the recent dastardly terrorist attach which was carried out on Indian soil by a terror outfit based out of Pakistan which resulted in the death of 44 Indian security personnel. In view of the aforesaid terrorist attack, BCCI fears for the safety and security of players and match officials participating in upcoming ICC events including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019," Johri wrote in the letter addressed to ICC chairman Shashank Manohar, CEO David Richardson and Colin Graves, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
"Most countries from which the members of the ICC hail (including United Kingdom) have strongly condemned this terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with India. BCCI urges the cricketing community to sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates," the letter added.
The board also raised concerns over the security of Indian fans in the upcoming mega event.
"The BCCI also wishes to express its concerns over the safety and security of the fans of Indian cricket at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. 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.
"The BCCI reserves all its rights and entitlements in this regard," the letter said.
Earlier, in the day, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) running the BCCI decided against taking any stand on the World Cup clash against Pakistan.
There has been a call to boycott the June 16 World Cup face-off against Pakistan at the Old Trafford in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel.
