The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is in a huddle to decide whether to play Pakistan in the forthcoming ICC World Cup 2019 in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack. The tournament will be held in England and Wales.

As per reports in media, Team India can either withdraw from the upcoming fifty overs mega tournament or can forfeit their clash against Pakistan on June 16 in Manchester.

From cricket fans to veteran cricketers and politicians, several people have spoken on the matter, and the consensus has been that terror and sports cannot go together.

Sourav Ganguly, former India captain and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official, feels not playing Pakistan would not affect Team India’s chances in the World Cup.

“This is a 10-team World Cup and each team plays matches against every other team and I feel if India doesn’t play a match in the World Cup, it won’t be an issue.” Dada told India TV. “I feel it will be really difficult for ICC to go on with a World Cup without India. But, you also have to see if India has the power to stop ICC from doing such a thing. But, personally I feel a strong message should be sent. And, whatever reactions came from the people of India…was right. There is no chance of a bilateral series with Pakistan after this incident. I agree that after this attack, India should not only stop playing cricket, hockey or football with Pakistan but should cut all ties with them.”

India’s batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar told PTI: “India has always come up trumps against Pakistan in the World Cup. Time to beat them once again. Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament.”

Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has said the country comes first, saying Men-in-Blue should forfeit their clash against Pakistan on June 16 in Manchester.

“There is no need for any relations with Pakistan, let alone cricket,” Bhaji told India Today. “Don’t play the World Cup match with Pakistan on June 16 — country comes first for all of us and we are all standing with our forces.” Harbhajan added, “Pakistan has been promoting cross-border terrorism and this attack was unbelievably shocking.”

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad called for a complete ban on cricketing ties with arch-rival Pakistan. “I cannot make any comment [on cricket issues] except to say those who are demanding it has some justification. You can see many films and concerts have been cancelled. Things are not normal. If things are not normal, the jhappiyan-pappiyan (hugs and kisses) issues have always been there,” Prasad told India Today. “Since it’s an international tournament, the ICC and our Indian cricket board (BCCI) have to take a call after consideration with our security establishment.”

Former cricketer VVS Laxman said at the WION Global Summit: “We have to rally behind our security forces. In this time of mourning, we have to stand with the families of the soldiers killed. We have to make sure that terrorists and terrorism end once and for all. And hence, cricket is the last thing on my mind.”

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar: “Who wins if India decide against playing Pakistan in the World Cup? And I am not even talking about the semis and the finals. Who wins? Pakistan win because they get two points. India have so far beaten Pakistan every time in a World Cup, so we are actually conceding two points when by beating Pakistan, we could make sure that they don’t advance in the competition.”

“(But) I am with the country, whatever the government decides, I am with it totally. If the country wants we shouldn’t play Pakistan, I am with them. Where does it hurt Pakistan? It hurts them when they don’t play a bilateral series against India. In a multi-team event, India will lose by not playing them. The entire matter needs to be looked at with a little more depth, I can understand emotions are running high,” Gavaskar told India Today. “But what happens when you don’t play them? I know India are strong enough side to qualify even after conceding those two points but why not beat them and make sure they don’t qualify.”

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin: “If we are not playing Pakistan in bilateral series, we should not play them anywhere. The World Cup cannot be bigger than the country.”

“There was tension…there was the war on. We were scared the spectators would start fighting. When we won, the soldiers celebrated. If you play Pakistan, play everywhere. Otherwise, don’t play them anywhere. ICC and BCCI should resolve this quickly,” Azharuddin told Aaj Tak.

IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla said the possibilities of bilateral matches between India and Pakistan were nil unless the government gave its nod. “Our position is very clear. Unless the government gives us nod, we are not going to play with Pakistan. Sports should be above all these things but if somebody is sponsoring terrorism, obviously it will affect sports also,” Shukla told reporters.

When Shukla was asked if India would play against Pakistan in the World Cup, he said, “That we can’t tell you right now. The world cup is far away. We will see what happens.”

BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry told Hindustan Times: “The BCCI had resolved at the Special General Meeting that the members participation agreement shall not be executed without the authorization of the general body of the BCCI and the BCCI reserves all its rights regarding the MPA and regarding its participation in any other multi-nation tournament or games not covered by the MPA. That answers your question.”

UP Minister and former Indian cricketer Chetan Chauhan told Aaj Tak: “World Cup, Olympics is decided years ahead. We don’t play bilateral series with Pakistan. The best thing to do is to throw Pakistan out of the World Cup. Every country is worried with the growth of terrorism in Pakistan. It’s a problem for everyone. We should exert pressure on ICC to throw Pakistan out of the World Cup. If Pakistan do not play the World Cup, it won’t make any difference. If India do not play, the ICC will suffer losses. India bring in 65 to 70 per cent of the sponsorship.”