Diana Edulji slams BCCI for points loss

Diana Edulji

Former India captain Diana Edulji has blamed the Indian cricket board for the women's team loss of six points for not playing Pakistan between August 1 to October 31 as per ICC Women's Championship.

An International Cricket Council (ICC) press release stated yesterday: "Following consideration of written submissions from both PCB and BCCI, the ICC Technical Committee has ruled that the India Women's team is deemed to have forfeited each of the three matches it was due to play against Pakistan in Round 6 of the ICC Women's Championship, and that the associated points should be awarded to Pakistan." Edulji felt that the Indians should have played Pakistan at a neutral venue.

'Play in Dubai'
"Okay, you don't play there (Pakistan) and don't let them play here (India) but go and play in Dubai. Aren't we playing Pakistan in the forthcoming Asia Cup? What if we don't qualify for the World Cup? Anurag Thakur should remove his political cap and wear the BCCI president one," said Diana.

PTI adds: A furious BCCI has lodged a protest with the global body who are well aware that any bilateral series against Pakistan needs government permission under current political scenario, which ICC's Indian chairman is well aware. "ICC is well aware that in prevailing situation where Indian soldiers are being martyred, the sentiment is dead against playing Pakistan," the BCCIâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088official said.

BCCI furious
"The chairman is well aware that we need government permission," a furious senior BCCI official said. "This is a move with ulterior motive trying to play into the hands of Pakistan. "They would say if women can play so can men. But that won't happen. If ICC does not backtrack, the men's team in solidarity with our women's team won't play in Champions Trophy," he added.