Dismally, the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives in Kashmir, brought condemnation across the board. Being sports organizations, it was no different from the others. The deadly attack, carried out by a group of terrorists associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted a tourist group amid the verdant meadows of Baisaran; it constitutes a dark page in the book of ongoing tensions with Pakistan.
The attack churned the talk round cricket between India and Pakistan; these two sides have not engaged bilaterally since 2012-13, but otherwise, they only clash in ICC and other international tournaments. Whenever Ind-Pak clash is organized, it garners massive crowds and attention.
In reports, it was rumored that the board controlling India’s cricket requested the ICC to not include India and Pakistan in the same groups in any groups or events in the future, like at the World Cup. But according to a report by Cricbuzz, BCCI did not say that. He has not heard anything about it, but they know the national sentiments, as an official in the BCCI said.
Apart from ICC, there are no important men’s festivities this year, but later in the year, India will host the Women’s World Cup, which has Pak qualified. The matches will be conducted at a neutral venue. But first comes the men’s Asia Cup, which, like the former, India is hosting at its neutral site.
The BCCI clarified its stance on playing Pakistan in cricket. They condemn the recent attack where victims have lost their lives. Rajeev Shukla, vice-president of BCCI, said that they won’t host bilateral series against Pakistan as per government views, although participation would be made in ICC events as required.
Devajit Saikia, secretary of the BCCI, also conveyed his deep thoughts of remorse on the attack. His words defined that both cricket and lives are lost benefits to the innocent people as well and were given their sympathies to those families affected, assuring them of their strength during this sad time.
