PCA removes pictures of Pakistan cricket legends from Mohali Stadium

What's the story?

The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) have decided to pull down the pictures of several Pakistan cricket legends at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Their decision comes in the wake of the gruesome terror attack on CRPF personnel at Pulwama.

PCA Secretary RP Singla affirmed, "To show solidarity with the country and honour the CRPF personnel, the Punjab Cricket Association decided to remove the pictures of Pakistani cricketers. It is a unanimous decision and we all stand with the country. If relations with Pakistan improve and the government changes its policy regarding playing against Pakistan, we will put up the pictures again.”

The background

The PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali hosted the 2011 World Cup semifinal clash between India and Pakistan. The then Prime Ministers of both countries were in attendance for that epic encounter.

Aside from the 2011 World Cup semifinal, India and Pakistan have also played two other ODIs as well as a Test match at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.

The heart of the matter

There are pictures of quite a few former Pakistan team stalwarts such as Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Shahid Afridi at the premises of the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.

While Imran and Miandad have not played in Mohali, Akram has played an ODI at the venue. Apart from captaining Pakistan during the 2011 World Cup semifinal, Afridi has played quite a few matches at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium.

PCA's decision to remove the pictures of the Pakistan legends follows the trend set by Cricket Club of India (CCI). The organisation based at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai had recently covered the portrait of World Cup-winning captain and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

PCA treasurer Ajay Tyagi justified their decision by saying, "As a humble step, the PCA has decided to show its solidarity. There is so much anger in the nation against the heinous attack and PCA is no different in this."

There are around 15 pictures of former Pakistan cricketers in the stadium premises at areas ranging from long room and reception to hall of fame.

What's next?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have expressed their displeasure at various Indian clubs and associations regarding their decisions to either pull down or remove the pictures and portraits of their former cricketers. It remains to be seen how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) responds in such a situation.