Chetan Chauhan: BCCI Should Try to Get Pakistan Out of 2019 WC

Chetan Chauhan has said pulling out of the World Cup so India don’t play Pakistan may have repercussions for India. 

(Photo: ANI)

Former Indian cricketer and UP Cabinet Minister Chetan Chauhan has said a decision to pull out of the World Cup to avoid playing Pakistan, is something that needs a lot of consideration. Instead, Chauhan has suggested the Indian board speak to the ICC and get Pakistan thrown out of the tournament.

There have been calls in the media by former cricketers and fans urging India to not play Pakistan in the 16 June fixture of the World Cup after the terror attack in Pulwama that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.

“To not participate in a World Cup is a big decision that needs to be thought out properly. To withdraw from such big tournaments is not a small thing because every tournament has its own rules. So many teams are participating in the tournament so if we withdraw we may be punished for it. We may be asked to pay a fine or even be banned for 2-3 years,” said the former cricketer said to ANI.

Chauhan however told PTI that he feels BCCI should put pressure on the ICC and throw Pakistan out of the competition instead.

"Now, I believe India is still the market for 60 to 70 percent of ICC's global sponsorship. So, the BCCI should put pressure on the ICC and try to get Pakistan out of the World Cup. Trust me a World Cup cricket event can easily survive without Pakistan but it won't survive without an Indian team. I believe, you cannot just ignore the public sentiment after the Pulwama attack," he said.

The 2019 World Cup is being played in England and the group stage format is such that all 10 teams will be playing each other before four progress to the semi-finals and then the final.

India are therefore slated to play Pakistan on 16 June but could very well be slotted against them in the semis or even the final. Forfeiting those matches would mean India eliminate itself from the tournament and it would eventually only work out in favour of Pakistan.