A cricket match between India and Pakistan can only be compared to the hype of Brazil vs Argentina in football as the sheer enigma of the contest is no less than the Latin American tussle. These two neighbouring countries and arch-rivals are scheduled to battle it out once again in the upcoming ICC World T20 on March 19 in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Also read: ICC World T20 India vs Pakistan: Pakistan not to participate until 'foolproof security' assured, says Pakistan interior minister
But, the Ex-servicemen of the Indian Armed Forces in Himachal Pradesh have strongly opposed the T20 World Cup match and asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider the issue, keeping in view the sentiments of families of martyrs and patriots.
Indian and Pakistan haven’t played a single Test match since the Mumbai terror attack back in 2008. Recently there was a huge ruckus over a bilateral series that was to be played between these two cricketing giants.
Also read: ICC T20 World Cup Group stage: Kolkata to replace Dharamsala for India-Pakistan match
Terror and T20 cannot go together
However, this opposition from general mass is a strong expression of the burning sentiments in troublesome circumstances. In a statement, the chairman of the Ex-servicemen League, Vijay Singh Mankotia, said, "Terror and T20 cannot go together and the BCCI must review its decision after the terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase in which two jawans of Himachal Pradesh - Sanjeevan Rana and Jagdish Chand - were killed.
“It must honour and respect the sentiments of families of martyrs and other patriotic people."
Mankotia, who is also a former minister added, "By holding the T20 match against Pakistan, the BCCI would be insulting the sacred memory of martyrs and undermining their heroic deeds and sacrifices, and we appeal to the BCCI not to heap insult to injury as the patriotism and nationalism of BCCI would also be on test."
This could become a big problem for the BCCI ahead of the World T20. The last time India played against Pakistan was at Mohali in the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2011.
The last bilateral series was held back in 2012-13 when India hosted Pakistan for a three-match ODI series and two International T20 matches.
Pakistan have never beaten Indian in a World Cup match till date and the upcoming match is their chance to end that unwanted record. However, the match is now in jeopardy since the ex-servicemen are protesting against it.
Though the BCCI hasn’t given any official reaction to this protest but it will surely ignite the fire in the “cold” state of political coherence between both the neighbours.
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