International Cricket Council (ICC) president Zaheer Abbas warned on Tuesday that Pakistani players might boycott India’s tour for the World Twenty20 to be held next year, in the wake of recent anti-Pakistan incidents.
“Pakistan and India cricket authorities must work it out, otherwise I fear the Pakistan players could also refuse to tour India for the upcoming World T20 Cup, citing security concerns,” said Abbas.
The ICC president’s statement came a day after Shiv Sena workers stormed the Mumbai office of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ahead of a meeting between Pakistan and India’s cricket boards officials. Further, the ICC on Monday withdrew Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar from officiating in the remaining matches of the on-going India versus South Africa series following threats from Shiv Sena.
“I don’t know what the environment will be when the World T20 is held in India but if this situation persists, obviously there will be extra pressure on our players,”
Keeping all these factors in mind, Zaheer said Pakistani players might refuse to visit India for the T20 competition next year. “The important thing is that World T20 opener is between Pakistan and India. What will happen when these two countries play? The tension would be such that it would no longer be a cricket match,” he upheld.
