PCB Rejects Violation Claims After Pakistan Players' Gaza Stance

image-lnwyr2yzPCB supports players' claims on Gaza attack [Twitter]

The fatal attacks in Palestine during the ongoing war between forces in Israel and Gaza have polarised opinions. Cricket hasn't gone untouched by the humanitarian calamity, with Pakistan players recently showcasing their solidarity with Gaza while Indians continue to stand strong in their support of Israel. 

Pakistan cricketers, who are part of the ICC World Cup 2023 in India, have expressed their unwavering concern and support for the people of Palestine. And even though their Indian counterparts have evaded the controversy and chose to stay focused on cricketing duties only, reigning Indian government's support to Israel means the Indian stance on the matter is also clear.

The situation has once again brought India and Pakistan at loggerheads, with fans and experts on this side of the border raising questions regarding Pakistani players' continuous support to the people of Gaza and asking the International Cricket Council (ICC) if such socio-political gestures are allowed. 

Indo-Pak Tussle Over Stance on Palestine 

Over the past few days, Pakistan cricketers have been sharing the Palestine flag on their formal Twitter handles to express solidarity and support with those dealt the harshest blow by the war situation with Israel. 


Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had even dedicated his exceptional World Cup 2023 century in the victory against Sri Lanka to Gaza. Rizwan had made a viral tweet, which caused disturbance within the Indian populace as fans here wondered if such gestures are allowed by the ICC. 

On its part, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rejected all claims and objections on the matter from the Indian side. A PCB source privy to the developments insisted in 'The News' report that the "team's expression of solidarity was a personal decision" and there was no case of the board dictating the sentiments and stance. 

The players are "allowed to express whatever they wanted to and did not violate any code of conduct by the ICC or PCB" even as Indian fans urge the cricketing authorities to bar players from making political statements. 

Notably, Pakistani players are upholding the stance taken by Pakistani government officials, who condemned the Israeli shelling on Palestinians, with the Health Ministry of Gaza reporting that 3,000 people have died in the attack.