PCB complains to ICC on Star Sports' Indo-Pak WC commercial

Indian and Pakistan cricket players

In the build-up to the big India vs Pakistan match of the World Cup 2019, media houses of both countries have been accused of making cringeworthy ads to highlight the rivalry between the two countries. An angered Pakistan Cricket Board has written to ICC, complaining about an ad that India's broadcaster Star Sports is running on their channels ahead of the big game.

In fact, the ICC mandarins have had a quiet word with the broadcasters and told them about PCB's objections with regards to the TVC.

In fact, top BCCI officials are in knowledge of the issue but have stayed away as this doesn't concern them.

"Yes, Ehsan Mani on behalf of PCB has intimated the ICC raising objection on the content of the TVC. I am not sure if Mani has written a letter or had a telephonic conversation but we have come to know that an objection has been raised," a senior BCCI official privy to the controversy told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

In their build-up to Sunday's marquee World Cup encounter here, the Star Sports released a TVC, an extension of the infamous and crass 'Mauka Mauka' advertisement where the Indian fan terms himself as Pakistani fan's 'baap' (father).

The context of the advertisement was Pakistan losing all six World Cup encounters to date.
The commercial shows a Bangladeshi fan asking a Pakistani fan about Sunday's encounter. The Pakistani says that his 'Abbu' (father) used to tell him that one should keep trying and suddenly an Indian fan says "Maine kab kahaa" (When did I tell you?).

It has been learnt that ICC has already spoken to the Star Sports on this issue.
For the global body, the bigger issue is the build-up to the Bangladesh game and they are expecting there won't be any more TVCs that create unnecessary controversy.

Meanwhile, representatives of an Indian channel had their accreditation cancelled for violating the ICC NRH (Non-Rights Holders) clause.

The reporter and the cameraman of that particular channel were showing India captain Virat Kohli's pre-match press conference live on their feed which is strictly prohibited.

The ICC rejected the duo from the venue after cancelling their accreditations.

Another veteran Indian freelancer, known for his proximity to the star players, was doing a Facebook live of Kohli's presser and he has also been given a warning.

India face Pakistan in a high voltage clash at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, England.

With inputs from PTI

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