Pakistan should be isolated like South Africa was during apartheid, reckons Vinod Rai

Ever since the ghastly terror attack on the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, there have been growing demands in India to boycott its cricket World Cup game against Pakistan. But, the CoA chief wants to look at the things in a bigger picture rather than just one match as there is a possibility that India may have to play Pakistan again in semi-final or final. He also cited the example of South African, who were banned for 21 years from 1970 till 1991 due to apartheid when black South Africans were racially discriminated.

"We would be shooting in the foot if we don't play Pakistan in the World Cup. Our aim should be to ostracise Pakistan as a cricketing nation," Rai told PTI.

"I believe something similar needs to be done with Pakistan. They should be banned from all sporting activities just like it happened with South Africa."

He also said about the matter being officially tabled at the ICC chief executives meet during the quarterly conference in Dubai. A consensus can be built in order to isolate Pakistan in the sporting world, the veteran bureaucrat said that it is done at the political level.

"The matter will be officially tabled at the ICC chief executives meet and Indian board will express its concern. It is done at the government level where you talk to other nations in order to build consensus," Rai explained.

Meanwhile, India skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri have maintained that they will "abide by whatever decision the government takes."