Pakistan

Pakistan may boycott 2016 World Twenty20 in India: Zaheer Abbas

ICC president's statement comes a day after Shiv Sena activists stormed BCCI office over Pakistan cricket talks

Sports Desk October 20, 2015

PHOTO: SCREENGRAB.

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," Abbas said, according to NDTV.

Shiv Sena storms BCCI HQ to protest Indo-Pak cricket meeting

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," the ICC president added.

ICC, India frustrate former 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.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shahryar Khan and the head of the PCB’s executive committee Najam Sethi had arrived in India on Sunday to hold talks with BCCI in a bid to finalise the India-Pakistan cricket series in December.

ICC withdraws Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar from India-South Africa series

However, the Hindu right-wing party activists crashed through the gates of BCCI’s office in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium chanting anti-Pakistan slogans and demanding Shahryar and Sethi’s immediate return.

Shiv Sena, which is a junior partner of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra state, has in recent weeks threatened and cancelled Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali’s concert. Last week, its members attacked the organiser of an event for former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri.

This article originally appeared on NDTV.

COMMENTS (41)

Alien1 | 8 years ago | Reply Breaking news: PCB says, Pakistan will play the world cup only if pakistani players are taken in IPL.

p r sharma | 8 years ago | Reply @Saud: every body including you have a right to have a wish list.

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Person | 8 years ago | Reply So basically, what I got from both sides is, Pakistanis: Let's not go, that'll teach them a lesson, and Indians: Don't come, we don't need you guys anyways. Does that not sound completely childish? So much hate... I just want to watch cricket.

Rex Major | 8 years ago | Reply @Saud: "... Pakistan India contest is the most valuable single match of any world cup, It is a show piece event that is the first to sell out and is valued highly by the media group having the rights to the tournament. ..." Are we trying to build up our hopes that Pakistan should not boycott? Sounds pathetic.

Munnow | 8 years ago | Reply NOT HAPPENING ..... History shows, PCB (officials and players), just full of talk but don't have stomach to do that........

hellboy | 8 years ago | Reply We Indians dare Pakistan to boycott T20 World cup.

Sohail | 8 years ago | Reply If cricket is managed according to the wishes of India. Then I fear there will be no future of cricket in world. Cricket should be managed with strict rules of ICC.

Prada | 8 years ago | Reply Hahaha... the PCB President Shahrayar Khan promptly released a statement just now to clarify that Pakistan is NOT considering a boycott. BTW, why is Zaheer Abbas releasing such statements? He is with the ICC, isn't he?

raza | 8 years ago | Reply No boycott, the dirty chiefs should provide security, if they cant then it should be relocated to another country.

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply Indians want Pakistan to boycott T20, because its the only country which can defeat them. They are very scared and using ugly tactics to find ways. Pakistan should stick to the schedule and stay alert. They have no guts to harm any Pakistani player. They know the consequences.

Ahad | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan should not boycott the tournament, rather they should enthusiastically go. Then if the security is good and nothing happens its great, if a riot ensues its even better has the whole cup will have to be moved out of India and the fear of playing in India will be born in the players of other countries and they will soon be playing their cricket in qatar and we'll see how they like it. If you can't separate cricket from politics then it never ends well, us Pakistanis know that from experience and Indians will soon find out if they can't figure this out.

k-roy | 8 years ago | Reply go there and let them say that they cant provide securtity to pak. best chance to show world " TERORIST FACE OF INDIA"

Shakti | 8 years ago | Reply You have the right to. Please do.

Saud | 8 years ago | Reply Some Indians here thinking that Pakistan's withdrawal won't hurt World T20 financially. Pakistan India contest is the most valuable single match of any world cup, It is a show piece event that is the first to sell out and is valued highly by the media group having the rights to the tournament. This group will claim huge damages from the ICC if the Pakistan-India match is not played as planned.

Rohit | 8 years ago | Reply Good, stay away.

End of big 3 | 8 years ago | Reply Yes go ahead nd try to convince other countrys also....protest

fact is fact | 8 years ago | Reply @Vectra: sometimes respect is more important

Vectra | 8 years ago | Reply @pakistani: ICC will never shift venue as you said as ICC will never sacrifice its revenue and profits coming out of India as they will say the threats was not meant for us but for pakistanis and it is for India and pakistan to decide and ICC has little role to play in it. After reading this you will never say ICC shift venue: http://www.dawn.com/news/1214355/empty-stands-pakistan-england-series-a-reflection-of-test-crickets-flagging-fortunes Empty stands,no public no money.So think rationally rather than absurd suggestions.

Javed | 8 years ago | Reply It is more important that Pakistan lobby other teams to boycott T20 WC due to recent attacks. Modi inspired ShivSena makes India the world's most dangerous place to visit and play any sport.

Pakistan | 8 years ago | Reply Show me one area where PML N and Nawaz Sharif have given us good results or made us feel proud? None. When a person is devoid of self esteem he can't differentiate between insult and a kick in behind. This is a case of self interest over national interest.

pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Rather than boycott, we should lobby to have it moved to a country like UK where hindu extremists can not disrupt the cricket. If India is not secure for international teams, there are other secure venues

Vectra | 8 years ago | Reply Mr Zaheer Abass have you counted the monetary loss and consequences that may follow thereafter or are you simply saying that in air.Plz clarify as it seems easier said than done as i dont think PCB despite what happened though regrettable act by one Maharashtra group would want to follow your advice.Boycotting ICC event means creating enmity with all other member nations in ICC as there is possibility that by doing so pakistan may be banned from participating from any ICC event there after including WC,Asia Cup etc.

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Not worth putting the lives of our players in danger.

Sajjad Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Cricket is a game of exposure & temperament Let keep rivalry aside we want Park vs India face to face in ground not in battlefield

Rex Major | 8 years ago | Reply @Saud: "Pakistan should not immediately go for the boycott. First they should demand that the cup be moved out of India and try to get support from other countries. If that fails they should demand presidential security in India and send security teams to inspect their facilities and security arrangements. Finally at the last moment they should threaten to boycott citing insufficient security unless India agrees, in-writing to honour its commitments." Some people never learn! Saud still thinks blackmailing is a good instrument to be used in an international setting. He does not understand that having a principled stand and following it through is more important and the better way to live in a community.

Rex Major | 8 years ago | Reply @Ilyas: "No. Don’t boycott. Our players should go there and win the tournament. That would be the best response ..." Now that is the right spirit (keeping aside the spiritual bit!).

Hari Om | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan boycotting 2016 T20 Tournament in India will be a welcome event as it ensures not having to associate with Pakistan and ensures that ICC is given no motivation to encourage Test playing nations to tour Pakistan.

Waqas | 8 years ago | Reply our politicians and PCB are really dumb, they should have made a mess out of this controversy as india is not sparing a single incident against blaming Pakistan

Waqas | 8 years ago | Reply @Indian: You should have chosen the name "Proud Indian - we support such stupid behavior"

Waqas | 8 years ago | Reply @Begging bowl: What kind of neutrality you want? let Indians ruin the game, this is what your "idea" of being neutral What an Idea sir g

fact is fact | 8 years ago | Reply They should boycott for sure. People would like it. Enough is enough

Rex Major | 8 years ago | Reply "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 ..." Abbas must clarify - is he saying this as a Pakistani? Then it is his right to say it. If he is saying this as the ICC President, then one should question his judgement. Is he instigating the Pakistani players to do this? He could acted a tad smarter and had a Pakistani official make this statement. But then ... .

TiffinBox | 8 years ago | Reply Okay. Go ahead. Next news, Pakistan will (instead of may) boycott 2016 WC, please. One team less wouldn't effect the tournament. Please, please, please do.

Saud | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan should not immediately go for the boycott. First they should demand that the cup be moved out of India and try to get support from other countries. If that fails they should demand presidential security in India and send security teams to inspect their facilities and security arrangements. Finally at the last moment they should threaten to boycott citing insufficient security unless India agrees, in-writing to honour its commitments.

Indian | 8 years ago | Reply We welcome this step, go ahead pakistan!

Ilyas | 8 years ago | Reply No. Don't boycott. Our players should go there and win the tournament. That would be the best response. In sha Allah.

Omar Sadiq | 8 years ago | Reply Why should Pakistan boycott??? Let the onus be on the Indians and if they cannot provide security and hold the matches at the scheduled grounds, then the T20 WC should be taken away from them, just like the WC was taken away from Pakistan.

Ally from HELL | 8 years ago | Reply Nobody cares if pak boycott the event in India, but it will make Pak more isolated in the world as neither it will host any country in its homeland nor it will be able to tour outside for a big tournament like World cup T20!

John | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan should announce its withdrawal from the T20 world cup already unless the tournament is shifted to some other Country and also boycott any future fixtures with India no matter what the cost is.If its not shifted,lets sit it out.But it need to be shown to India that Pakistani cricket is not dependent on her.Our Wasim Akrams,Waqar Younas' and our Imran Khans dont need India's help to carve their name,Cricket is in our blood and we will find a way around it.Dear Pakistanis,dont feel dishearted,they cant keep the game away from us for too long.Our Yasir Shah's and Wahab Riazs' and their likes are great talents,every other cricketing nation loves to watch.Like they say in Urdu, 'Mushkil waqt hai,laikin yeh bhi guzar jayega'

Begging bowl | 8 years ago | Reply Is Zaheer Abbas a spokesperson of PCB? Either, he should honour the role of ICC President or leave the post for some neutral person!

waqas | 8 years ago | Reply No rule of law in the so-called world's largest democracy, or infact, these are the only laws.

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