Image Credit- AFP
The PCB has officially complained to the ICC about the
hostile atmosphere that existed during Pakistan’s weekend match against India
at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
India easily defeated Pakistan in a match that their
team director Mickey Arthur later compared to a bilateral match rather than an
ICC competition. Only a small number of Pakistani supporters could be found
among the gathering of over 100,000 people due to the challenges in obtaining
visas, which prevented supporters from crossing the border. Arthur further
questioned the absence of Pakistani music from the stadium’s music selection,
bringing up Dil, Dil Pakistan, a hallmark of Pakistani stadium performances
during ICC matches.
The PCB’s accusations, however, centre on more
specific occurrences that were revealed in social media video clips. The
Pakistani captain, Babar Azam, was booed repeatedly before the coin toss, while
Mohammad Rizwan was the target of “Jai Shri Ram” chants when he was
returning after being dismissed. Hasan Ali has also been the target of similar
taunts while fielding during India’s pursuit, according to the PCB.
The complaint, sent today to the ICC management, has
referred to section 11 of the ICC’s anti-discrimination policy for international
cricket. The section deals with enforcement against spectators: “The ICC
and each of its Members should take such steps as it considers necessary to
prevent the occurrence at International Matches played within its jurisdiction
or those played as part of an ICC Event (as applicable) of Inappropriate
Conduct by spectators and to ensure that any such conduct is dealt with in a
timely manner by the Member or ICC (as applicable) or others before, during
and/or after the International Match (as may be appropriate).”
In the same complaint, the PCB once again raised the
matter of visas not being granted to Pakistani fans and to only a limited
number of journalists so far.
“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged another
formal protest with ICC over delays in visas for Pakistani journalists and
absence of a visa policy for Pakistan fans for the ongoing World Cup
2023,” the PCB said in a statement.