Sourav Ganguly Calls for India to Sever Cricket Ties with Pakistan
The BCCI has denied rumors of requesting the ICC to separate India and Pakistan in future events, stating any decisions would be made after consulting the Indian government. The PCB is working to find alternatives to replace the Indian personnel, but the future of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan remains uncertain.
Former Indian cricket captain and current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has called for India to sever all cricketing ties with Pakistan, citing the continued threat of terrorism as a major concern, following the Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead and several others injured.
The attack has led to a significant escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan, with Indian media companies cutting ties with Pakistani content. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and FanCode have stopped broadcasting Pakistan Super League matches, while Zee Entertainment has removed Pakistani shows from its platforms, including ZEE5 and Zee Zindagi. The future of the Asia Cup is also uncertain due to concerns over India-Pakistan matches.
The release of Fawad Khan's film 'Abir Gulaal' is facing opposition and is unlikely to be released in India, with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) stating that the film will not be allowed to be released in the country. The Pakistan government has ordered Indian nationals in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) broadcast crew to leave the country within 48 hours due to security and diplomatic concerns.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is working to find replacements for the Indian personnel who were part of the PSL production and broadcast team. The live streaming platform Fancode has also taken down all PSL-related content from its site, and Indian authorities have annulled all visas previously issued to Pakistani nationals, including those for medical reasons.
The situation remains uncertain, with no official move made to restructure tournament formats involving India and Pakistan. However, with Sourav Ganguly's call for severing cricketing ties with Pakistan, it is likely that the situation will continue to escalate, leading to further tensions between the two countries.