ICC right to pull up Pakistan for boycotting Indo-Pak fixture: Rajeev Shukla
New Delhi (PTI): BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Monday said the the International Cricket Council (ICC) was right in warning Pakistan of severe repercussions for its selective pullout from the high-profile T20 World Cup contest against India in Colombo on February 15.
Pakistan's decision, conveyed through an official government statement, is being seen as a political protest linked to Bangladesh's removal from the tournament after the world body declined its request to shift matches from India to Sri Lanka on security grounds.
The ICC has already warned Pakistan Cricket Board the a boycott of the marquee fixture could lead to punitive sanctions and said that the decision is not in the interest of the the game in general.
"The ICC has issued a big statement on this subject. It has highlighted element of sportsmanship. We completely agree with the ICC. BCCI will not make any comment until we speak to the ICC," Shukla told reporters here.
The raging controversy was sparked by Bangladesh pacer's Mustafizur Rahman's ouster from the IPL on instructions of the BCCI for unspecified reasons. Bangladesh refused to travel to India after that citing security concerns.
Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor said the game can't be held to ransom like the way it is being at the moment.
"It is pretty disgraceful that sport has been politicised in this way on both sides, frankly. I don't think that Mustafizur (Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman) should have been denied his contract to play in Kolkata. It was most unfortunate intrusion of politics," Tharoor told reporters.
"I think the Bangladeshi reaction was an overreaction but it is also a reflection of the same and Pakistan is trying to show its solidarity with Bangladesh. This whole thing is spiralling out of control.
"I honestly think this is now a wake up call for all concerned to contact each other on an emergency basis, the ICC could be the platform for it - just say, let's call off this nonsense...You can't go on like this forever," he said.
The India-Pakistan clash is the most anticipated fixture of any ICC event, drawing peak global viewership, sponsorship interest and broadcast revenues.
The host broadcaster could incur advertisement revenue losses which could be anything in the range of Rs 200 crore to Rs 250 crore for a marquee game whose 10 second commercial slot can cost up to Rs 40 lakh.
While a walkover would hand full points to India, the ICC retains the authority to impose financial penalties on the PCB.
To get a walkover, the opposition team needs to be present on the ground for the coin toss.
The Indian team will therefore travel to Sri Lanka and Suryakumar Yadav will be walking out for the toss. Once Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha doesn't appear, the match referee will award a walkover and two points to India.
There could also be a host of sanctions awaiting Pakistan, including docking of WTC points, no movement in ICC rankings, top member nations refusing to travel there and last but not the least -- sanctions on participation of players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Pakistan are scheduled to open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by matches against USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18. All their matches will be played at the SSC ground in Colombo.
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Thumbay University Hospital performs its first advanced heart bypass surgery
Landmark off-pump CABG marks major milestone in cardiac care services
Ajman, UAE: Thumbay University Hospital has reached a significant clinical milestone with the successful completion of its first Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery, marking the launch of advanced cardiac surgical services at the academic medical centre.
The landmark procedure was performed on a 51-year-old patient, Syed Omer, who was diagnosed with severe ischemic coronary artery disease, including critical left main coronary artery stenosis, a high-risk condition that significantly restricts blood flow to the heart.
The patient also had diabetes mellitus, requiring precise peri-operative management and advanced cardiac care.
The surgery involved a double-vessel bypass using the off-pump (beating heart) technique, where the heart continues to beat during the operation without the use of a heart-lung machine. This approach reduces surgical stress on the body and is associated with faster initial recovery, fewer complications, and improved outcomes in selected patients.
The highly specialized cardiac surgery team under Dr. Khaled Farrag, Consultant of cardio thoracic surgery, successfully placed two grafts to bypass the blocked coronary arteries, restoring healthy blood flow to the heart muscle. The patient is back with his family and enjoying normal life with remote supervision.
A defining moment for academic healthcare
Speaking on the achievement, Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President, Healthcare Division, Thumbay Group, said,“This first successful bypass surgery at Thumbay University Hospital is not just a medical achievement. It is the beginning of a new era of advanced cardiac care within our academic healthcare ecosystem. Every major hospital remembers its first open-heart case. For us, this moment reflects the depth of our clinical expertise, the strength of our infrastructure, and our long-term commitment to bringing complex, life-saving care closer to the community. It reinforces our belief that a university hospital must lead not only in education, but also in clinical excellence.”
Raising the standard of heart care
The successful CABG procedure confirms Thumbay University Hospital’s readiness to manage complex and high-risk cardiac conditions. The hospital’s cardiac programme is supported by advanced operating theatres, intensive care facilities, comprehensive cardiac diagnostics and an integrated emergency and rehabilitation framework.
For patients, this development ensures access to advanced heart surgery within a university hospital environment, supported by evidence-based practices, continuous academic oversight and multidisciplinary expertise.
Looking ahead
With this milestone, Thumbay University Hospital formally enters the field of advanced cardiac surgery, strengthening its position as an emerging academic medical centre delivering specialised, high-end clinical services aligned with international standards.
The hospital is expected to introduce additional cardiac procedures and specialised programmes as it continues to expand its clinical capabilities and subspecialty services.
For more information, visit thumbayuniversityhospital.com.
