In view of recent killings of innocent civilians in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, angry fans have demanded cancellation of the India vs Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup and sever all ties with the neighbouring country

Not just fans, several politicians have also joined the chorus and expressed concern over Team India playing cricket against Pakistan.

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Amidst all this, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla has said that such demands can’t be fulfilled because as per the International Cricket Council’s rules and regulations no team is allowed to walk away from a match.

Unlike bilateral-series, teams here can’t decide who they want to play and who to avoid. The draw has been made and the Indian cricket team is bound to fulfill its international commitments in the ICC events as teams aren’t allowed to refuse taking field against any opposition for any given reason.

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The former IPL chairman condemned the killings in the Kashmir valley and demanded strong action be taken against the terrorist organisations, who are responsible for targeted killings of innocent civilians.

“We strongly condemn killings in (Jammu and Kashmir). Strict action should be taken against terror organisations. As far as the match (IND vs PAK in T20 WC) is concerned, under ICC's international commitments you can't refuse to play against anyone. You've to play with teams in ICC tournaments," Rajeev Shukla told news agency ANI.

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However, a certain section of supporters aren’t not ready to budge from their initial stance. They are not willing to accept the BCCI’s explanation arguing that for them nothing comes above country, not even cricket.

They argued that what’s the point of being the richest cricket board in the country when they can’t oppose Pakistan at the international level and teach them a lesson by forfeiting the match.

Is ICC's commitment bigger than blood of those people who cheer for India and those who protect Indian borders ?? Is ICC's commitment bigger than sentiments of Indian public ??

— Pankaj Gulati (@panky101) October 18, 2021

Shi h.
Pakistan army terrrist bhej rhi h.
Army desh s bda kuch nhi.

Man to tha dekhna ka but apni army desh s bda kuch nhi apne liye

— Gaurav Bhardwaj (@IMB_Gaurav) October 18, 2021

भाड़ में गया मनोरंजन. यहां लोग मारे जा रहे हैं. और लोग compliance की बात कर रहे हैं. Stern message should go to everyone in and outside India on fair play rules .

— Siddharth Mittal (@siddmitt) October 18, 2021

Afcorse he will bat for match, because no cricketers are dying afterall soldier's are dying right, cricket and money are more important for them
Shame on u @BCCI

— Tilak raj (@Tilakra20746554) October 18, 2021

Which type of commitment ? Whether any commitment can be above than the pride , sovereignty and life of its citizen...?

— janardan yadav (@janardanyadav5) October 18, 2021

If those calling for the boycott put their emotions aside for one moment and think rationally then they would realise what Shukla is saying is actually correct. By refusing to play against Pakistan, India won’t gain anything.

In fact, they will ruin their unbeaten run against Pakistan in the World Cups as the ICC would declare them as the winners and award them three points. Also, only two teams from each group will qualify to the semi-finals and losing three points might come to haunt India deep into the tournament.

#JammuAndKashmir: Unease and fear grip the Valley after two more labourers were gunned down by terrorists yesterday.

Take a look at these reactions.

Pradeep & Ieshan with analysis. pic.twitter.com/OYavC9RAHC

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) October 18, 2021

The terrorist attacks in the Kashmir valley is condemnable but instead of getting swayed by the emotions and calling for the boycott of India-Pakistan match, the Government of India should look for other measures to punish Pakistan and teach them a lesson.

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