BCCI split over seeking Pak ban
› If the BCCI is willing to take that step (pulling out of the Cup) then it can bring ICC to its knees. Though there could be repercussions for BCCI too for that. BCCI OFFICIAL, On World Cup
NEWDELHI: The BCCI’S decision to draft a letter asking the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ban Pakistan from the World Cup doesn’t have total support within the Indian cricket board and is likely to embarrass it if dispatched, according to office bearers within the Board.
It has already created a division within the Committee of Administrators (COA). While the COA chief Vinod Rai has reportedly seen the letter, it is learnt that the other member Diana Edulji has rejected it as she and other office bearers feel this is being done merely for the optics.
“Knowing full well that this is a step that will not fructify (ICC won’t ban Pakistan), they have put BCCI in a position where it can get embarrassed,” said a BCCI office bearer on condition of anonymity.
“This has been done only for the optics and we hear Diana is not keen on it. There is a feeling that this has been done to earn brownie points from the government.
“The letter is a creation of only a couple of people and even the acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary has not been intimated. This needs the approval of BCCI general body if it has to go ahead. The secretary needs to be intimated too.”
The office bearer adds that the request to ICC is likely to be rejected. “The decision to ban a national board can be taken only by the ICC Board and not by the Chief Executives Committee (CEC). The ICC Board has to decide on it.”
It seems the best the BCCI can do is pull out of the World Cup which can put pressure on the ICC. “If the BCCI is willing to take that step (pulling out of the Cup) then it can bring ICC to its knees. Though there could be repercussions for BCCI too for that. But this letter they have drafted is absurd and stupid.
“The Board is subject to the laws of the Indian Union and has to abide by it. If the government says don’t play the entire tournament or for that matter Pakistan, then they can’t. Although not playing Pakistan is also implausible since a clash in the final or semis could mean you are gifting the trophy away.”