Former cricketer Shreevats Goswami has urged the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to bring an end to all cricketing ties with Pakistan in the wake of the terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam. As many as 26 people have been confirmed dead in the heinous attack on innocent tourists perpetrated by the members of The Resistance Front—an offshoot of the proscribed terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the country, with people demanding strong action to safeguard the lives of both citizens and tourists in Jammu & Kashmir. Shreevats Goswami has also condemned the barbaric incident in a strongly worded post on his social media account. The former wicketkeeper batter has asked the BCCI to stop playing cricket with Pakistan and asked for a response not with bat and ball but with resolve and dignity.
“SAY NO TO CRICKET ! And this is exactly why I say – you don’t play cricket with Pakistan. Not now. Not ever. When BCCI or the government refused to send India to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, some had the audacity to say, ‘Oh, but sport should rise above politics.’ Really? Because from where I stand, murdering innocent Indians seems to be their national sport. And if that’s how they play – then it’s time we respond in a language they truly understand. Not with bats and balls. But with resolve. With dignity. With zero tolerance,” wrote Goswami in a long post on his X account.
Furthermore, he recalled his recent visit to Kashmir and sympathised with the locals, saying that it’s not a time to stay silent.
“I’m furious. I’m devastated. Just a few months ago, I was in Kashmir for the Legends League – I walked through Pahalgam, met the locals, saw hope returning to their eyes. It felt like peace had finally found its way back. And now… this bloodshed again. It breaks something inside you. It makes you question how many more times we’re expected to stay silent, stay “sporting,” while our people die. No more. Not this time,” he added.
It remains to be seen what decision the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the Indian government take with regard to cricketing ties with Pakistan in the aftermath of the terror attack. The two nations don’t hold bilateral relations since 2013 and only face off in multinational events at neutral venues. India last visited Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2008, while Pakistan last came to India for the ODI World Cup 2023.
Recently, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and played all of their matches at a neutral venue in Dubai. Later this year, India will also be hosting the Women’s World Cup in October. As per the agreement between the two cricketing boards, they will not travel to each other’s country for ICC events till 2028. Hence, Pakistan will be playing their matches at a neutral venue during the tournament.