Will not play Pakistan if Government decides so: Ravi Shastri

While the BCCI is yet to find a consensus, coach Shastri has stated that the team will obey the Government’s decision

Will India play against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup? Well, the question is still unanswered; however, the Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri, had made some strong remarks before our men in blue catch the flight to England.

Until February 14, the Indian cricket fanatics were eagerly waiting for the World Cup clash against Pakistan on June 16 at Old Trafford in Manchester. But the terrorist attack in Pulwama, which killed 40 CRPF personnel, redrew the entire picture.

The unfortunate incident not only left the Indian citizens furious but also gave air to the demand of boycotting the arch-rivals in the mega event. While the BCCI is yet to find a consensus, coach Shastri has stated that the team will obey the Government’s decision.

“It’s entirely left to the BCCI and the government. They know exactly what is happening and they will take a call. We will go by what they decide. If the government says it’s that sensitive you do not need to play the World Cup, I will go by my government,” Shastri said while speaking to Mumbai Mirror.

On Friday, the Committee of Administrators long with several BCCI officials met in Mumbai to discuss the issue. The apex board failed to find a consensus over playing against the arch-rivals in the mega event and put the onus on the government.

“16th June (India vs Pakistan match in World Cup) is very far away. We will take a call on that much later and in consultations with the government,” said CoA Chief Vinod Rai after the meeting.

CoA chief Vinod Rai informed that the board will individually urge ICC members to ‘sever ties with any nation that is a terrorist hub’.

“We'll write to ICC expressing our concerns about attacks that took place & that security of players, officials & everybody else must be taken care of. We're telling the cricketing community that in future we must sever ties with nations from where terror emanates.”