As Fifa expels Russia, Congress leader urges ICC to ban Pakistan

Veteran Indian politician and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi has called for Pakistan’s ouster from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its role in Kargil war, terrorists attack in India and other infamous episodes. His remarks came after Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) banned Russia’s national football team amid the nation’s ongoing war with Ukraine.

For the unversed, Russia launched an attack to invade fellow European country Ukraine. Condemning the use of force by Russia, the apex football body announced that no international matches will be played in Russia, and the nation’s flag and anthem will be banned from any of their matches abroad. FIFA even warned Russia can be expelled from competitions if the situation in Ukraine does not improve.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi wants ICC to follow FIFA’s footsteps

After coming across the same, Abhishek Manu Singhvi took to Twitter and suggested that ICC should follow FIFA’s footsteps and ban Pakistan. “If FIFA can expel Russia from the 2022 football World Cup, what was stopping the ICC from expelling Pakistan for Kargil, 26/11 & more recent events,” he tweeted.

If FIFA can expel Russia from the 2022 football World Cup, what was stopping the ICC from expelling Pakistan for Kargil, 26/11 & more recent events?

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) March 1, 2022

It must be noted that ICC has taken actions against national teams amid off-field affairs. As the Taliban-led Afghanistan government doesn’t approve of women’s cricket, the apex cricket body formed a committee to investigate the matter and monitor if any improvements are there. However, any drastic steps against Pakistan haven’t been taken by the apex body.

In fact, international matches have been gradually increasing in the country lately. Pakistan are now gearing up to host Australia in a historic all-format tour, comprising three Tests, as many ODIs and a solitary T20I match. As this is Australia’s first assignment on Pakistan soil since 1998, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would want all matches to be conducted smoothly.

As far as the Indian team is concerned, Rohit Sharma’s men are now gearing up to host Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, which gets underway on March 4 in Mohali.