The Cricket Association of Bengal has refused to remove photographs of former Pakistan cricketers from its gallery at the Eden Gardens despite public and political pressure.
This comes as a departure from the overwhelmingly emotional and volatile reactions to the Pulwama terror attacks that killed 40 personnel of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force
A picture of the former Pakistan captain, and the country’s current prime minister, Imran Khan holding the 1992 World Cup trophy aloft is prominently displayed at the BC Roy Club House lobby, alongside photographs of other legendary Pakistani cricketers, such as Wasim Akram, Intikhab Alam and Ramiz Raja.
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According to media reports, the CAB has stood its ground despite a political demonstration at its headquarters on Saturday, February 23 afternoon, when around 60 members from the youth wing of the state’s opposition party protested with anti-Pakistan slogans and accused the association of patronizing Pakistani cricketers. They subsequently tried to force their way into the Eden Gardens Club House, but were denied entry and arrested by the police.
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A picture of Imran Khan holding the 1992 World Cup trophy aloft is prominently displayed at the Eden Gardens club house[/caption]
The association’s move seems to be in direct contradiction to the views of its president Sourav Ganguly. The former India captain had strongly voiced his disapproval of the terror attack, and called for the severance of ties with Pakistan, not just in cricket but across all sports. However, Ganguly refused to comment on the association’s stance.
“I really don’t have anything to say on this,” he told the Times News Network. “I have already said whatever I have to say and I stick to that.”
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Pressure is high in all corners in a tense political climate. Several former cricketers and prominent public figures have condemned the attacks and called for the cricket world to distance itself from Pakistan.
The BCCI has already removed all memorabilia related to Pakistan cricket from its headquarters in Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India. Rajasthan Cricket Association and Punjab Cricket Association have since followed the lead. There is also pressure on the ICC from the Indian cricket board to ban Pakistan from participating in the 2019 World Cup that gets underway on May 30 in England.
