Pulwama terror attack: PCB says covering of Imran Khan pictures in India regrettable, will take up matter with BCCI

The Pakistan Cricket Board has said it will take up with the BCCI the “regrettable” removal of pictures of its former players at a couple of venues in India, owing to the Pulwama terror attack, during an ICC meeting next month. In a statement issued late Sunday night, the PCB’s Managing Director Wasim Khan said sports has always played a key role in defusing political tensions. The ICC meeting is scheduled to be held in Dubai but the dates are not yet out. [caption id=“attachment_6066951” align=“alignnone” width=“380”]  File image of Pakistan Cricket Board managing director Wasim Khan. Image credit: Twitter @TheRealPCB[/caption] “We have always believed and emphasised that sports and politics should be kept separate. History tells us that sports, particularly cricket, have always played a key role in building bridges between people and countries,” Khan said in the statement. “Covering or removing the portrait of former Pakistan cricket captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan and other legendary cricketers from one of the most historic cricket clubs and venues are highly regrettable actions,” he added. The terror attack in Pulwama killed at least 40 CRPF Jawans.

#Visuals: Cricket Club of India covers Imran Khan's photo at CCI Headquarters in Mumbai in wake of #PulwamaAttack. pic.twitter.com/H1Ymk71sfA

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2019

In the aftermath, the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai covered a portrait of Pakistan Prime Minister and former captain Imran Khan, while the Punjab Cricket Association removed photographs of Pakistani cricketers from various points inside the Mohali stadium. The PCB Managing Director also confirmed that Indian production company IMG Reliance pulled out of producing the Pakistan Super League matches. “We have been informed by IMG Reliance that they will be unable to partner with us for the remaining PSL 2019 and PCB has reserved all its rights. The PCB always had a contingency plan in place…,” Khan said. IMG Reliance had announced its withdrawal as the official production partner for PSL as a mark of protest against the Pulwama attack.