Ramiz Raja – We have a clear stand: If the Indian team comes here then we will go for the World Cup
The most recent conflict of words among Indian and Pakistan sides has added another aspect to the 2023 World Cup with Ramiz Raja himself leading a tirade against the neighbors, threatening to boycott the tournament.
The most recent conflict of words among Indian and Pakistan sides has added another aspect to the 2023 World Cup with Ramiz Raja himself leading a tirade against the neighbors, threatening to boycott the tournament.
However, a boycott is unlikely to be easy for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) because the constitution of the International Cricket Council (ICC) lays out strong punitive measures for a Member if it is in breach of its contractual obligations.
“Without prejudice to Article 2.11(A)(i), the Board of Directors may suspend the membership of a member with immediate effect where, in the opinion of the Board of Directors (in its absolute discretion), the Member is in serious breach of any of its obligations as a member,”
Clause 2.10 (Page 15) of ICC Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association states. Participating in a global event is an obligation of a Member.
Whether or not a member can be suspended will, sure, depend on multiple factors, like Government permission and security, etc. and the matter may also go to an independent arbitration panel but a boycott of an ICC event, Cricbuzz understands, will not be without consequences.
The PCB share from the ICC revenue could also be hit, and it can be confirmed that PCB is contractually obliged to take part in the World Cup.
There is no information if there was a proper conversation regarding this situation at the recent ICC board meeting in Melbourne; however, the overall impression in the ICC is that things could normalize with the passage of time and closer to the event. Given the responsiveness of the circumstance, the ICC wouldn’t remark on the controversy.
Ramiz has linked Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup to India’s presence in his country for the Asia Cup next year.
“If Pakistan doesn’t take part in the World Cup scheduled in India next year, who will watch it? We have a clear stand: If the Indian team comes here then we will go for the World Cup. If they don’t come then they can play the World Cup without us. We will adopt an aggressive approach,”
the PCB chief said.
He went on,
“Our team is showing performance. I’ve always said we need to improve the economy of Pakistan cricket, and that can only happen when we perform well. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, we beat India. We beat India in the T20 Asia Cup. In one year, the Pakistan cricket team defeated a billion-dollar economy team twice.”
The Indian side has responded saying it will not be easy for Pakistan.
“Wait for the right time. India is a major power in the world of sports and no country can overlook India,”
Anurag Thakur, the country’s Sports minister, a former president of the BCCI, and a former director of the ICC said recently, a day after Raja’s remarks emerged in the media.
The BCCI, however, has been silent on the matter, after it had earlier stated that the Indian team will not play the Asia Cup in Pakistan.
On the other hand, similar provisions might apply to the BCCI as well if it refuses to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025 however that is over two years away, and before that the stakeholders will have to address the current standoff. As for the Asia Cup, it is up to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).