ISLAMABAD – Renowned Australian cricket journalist, Dennis Freedmanbelieves BCCI’s stunt of making their players wear army caps during thethird ODI against Australia is a step to escalate tension between Pakistanand India.
The two neighbouring countries were on the verge of war after the deadlyPulwama Attack that killed 40 Indian soldiers. India blamed Pakistan forthe attack and invaded their airspace, claiming a surgical strike on aterror camp. In response, Pakistan shot down two Indian jets and alsocaptured one of their pilots.
“In a time when Imran Khan is calling for peace and sending captured Indianpilot home, a cricket Board is inflaming tension with cheap stunts,” saidthe Australian journalist.
According to reports, the Board of Cricket Control of India told theInternational Cricket Council that the motive behind their action is toraise funds rather than making a political statement.
On the other hand, an Indian journalist tweeted that it was done to showsolidarity with their army. According to the ICC’s code of conduct, playerscannot give any political, religious or racist message through it.
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Freedman said that losing lives in a result of a terrorist attack anywherein the world is a shocking and sad incident and it is not only India thathave shown support to their fallen heroes, but it is the way they have doneit.
“The way in which a society chooses to do so gives great insight into whatis important to them. By wearing camoflauge caps of the cricket field, theBCCI and by extension the ICC, who by their own by-laws are meant to havegiven permission for such an act, have now built a fundamental link betweenwar and sport,” he said.
