BCCI refuses to print 'Pakistan' on Team India's jerseys for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sparked controversy by refusing to print 'Pakistan,' the official host nation of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, on Team India's jerseys. While the tournament will be held in Pakistan and Dubai, India's matches are scheduled exclusively in Dubai due to the BCCI's earlier refusal to travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns.
A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official criticised the BCCI, accusing it of mixing politics with sports. "BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is detrimental to the game. We hope the International Cricket Council (ICC) will intervene and ensure fairness," the official said, as reported by IANS.
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket matches for years due to political tensions, facing each other only in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. The ICC adopted a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy after the BCCI declined to play in Pakistan.
Additionally, the PCB claimed that Indian captain Rohit Sharma would not attend the traditional captains' press conference in Pakistan before the tournament. While earlier reports suggested he might attend, the PCB stated that the BCCI remains firm in its stance.
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Apologise for Assam MP's remark on Muslims not allowed to offer Eid prayers on streets: CM Himanta
Guwahati(PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said he felt "ashamed" that an MP from his state had asserted in Parliament during the Waqf Bill debate that Muslims were not allowed to offer Eid prayers on streets, and issued an apology.
''The people of Assam also do not want to offer 'namaz' on streets when there are beautiful and good mosques in the state'', the CM said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting.
Sarma was apparently referring to Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, though he did not name him directly.
Gogoi, during the debate, had criticised the government for allegedly preventing Muslims from offering Eid prayers on streets, questioning the BJP’s commitment to minority rights
''People from across the country are calling me about it. We are ashamed and I as the CM apologise to people across the country'', Sarma said.
There has been no demand from Muslims that they want to offer prayers on roads, he added.
He further alleged that the MP’s remarks created the impression that only one community contributed to India’s freedom struggle.
''This MP went to the extreme of highlighting only one community’s role. There was no mention of Mahatma Gandhi, Gopinath Bordoloi, Subhas Chandra Bose, or other key figures," Sarma said.
Replying to a question on the BJP's prospects in the forthcoming panchayat polls scheduled to be held in two phases on May 2 and 7, Sarma said, ''It will be good in all the elections- panchayat, Rabha Hasong Council, Bodoland Territorial Council and assembly polls as the people of Assam have immense faith and confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
"It is only the extreme statements made by a particular MP from Assam in Parliament which has made us sad and we are feeling ashamed about it'', he added.
People of Assam will ''teach a lesson to such people when the time comes'', the CM said.
