Pulwama effect: Cricket Club of India to remove Imran Khan's portrait

The Cricket Club of India will soon the remove the portrait of former Pakistan captain and now the Prime Minister Imran Khan to show their protest against the Pulwama terrorist attack which was carried out by Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad.

A day after covering Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s portrait to protest against the dastardly terror attack on CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, the Cricket Club of India is now set to remove it completely.

The CCI, which is an affiliated unit of BCCI, is home to the iconic Brabourne Stadium, which has hosted many Test matches and is considered to be a cricketing hub.

The entire CCI premises, including its restaurant, adorn portraits of the greatest cricketers across eras and from all nations.

Imran's portrait is one of them as he was a distinguished former cricket captain, who led Pakistan to 1992 World Cup victory.

”We called a meeting on the very next day of the attack & to condemn the attack, we decided to cover the photo. We'll be deciding soon how to remove the photo,” said CCI Secretary Suresh Bafna.

"See, CCI is a sports-club and we have photographs of past and present cricketers from all countries. We wanted to show, in our way - displeasure - on whatever is happening right now. It is a mark of protest.  We have covered it as of now but can't say right now if we would take it down," CCI president Premal Udani had said earlier.

In the past, Imran has twice played for Pakistan against India at the Brabourne Stadium. He had lead Pakistan in a festival game against India in 1987.

He has also played an ODI at the venue when he lead Pakistan to victory against Australia in a Nehru Cup game in 1989, where he was also declared as the man of the match.

On Thursday, at least 40 CRPF paramilitary troopers were killed in a terror attack while several others are battling for their lives following what is being termed as the deadliest terrorist strike in three decades in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan-based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for it.