PCB ask ICC to take action over India camouflage caps

ICC rules state that "equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match"

The Pakistan Cricket Board have written to the ICC to insist that action is taken after India's cricketers wore military-style caps at their recent game against Australia in Ranchi.

The Indian players donned camouflage headwear in tribute to the 40 reservists who were killed in the terrorist attack at Pulwama in February, and PCB chairman Ehsan Mani says the action was tantamount to the BCCI politicising sport.

ICC rules state that "equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match" and the PCB are now insistent that the global governing body intervenes.

"We have made our point very strongly to the ICC which now has no doubts or confusion about our intention or stance now on this matter," Mani told reporters on Sunday.

^{India wore camouflage caps at their recent game against Australia in Ranchi}

"We will be sending another letter to the ICC in next 12 hours after more consultations with our lawyers.

"This is the second that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has tried to use cricket for politics. They took permission from ICC for some other purpose and used it to do something else, which is not acceptable."

Two Pakistani government ministers had already voiced their disapproval of the Indian caps.

"It’s just not Cricket. I hope ICC ll take action for politicising Gentleman’s game … if Indian Cricket team ll not be stopped, Pak Cricket team should wear black bands to remind The World about Indian atrocities in Kashmir… I urge #PCB to lodge formal protest (sic),” Information Minister Fawad Chaudry tweeted.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said: "The world saw that the Indian cricket team wore military caps instead of their own, did ICC not see this?

"We think that it is the ICC’s responsibility to take notice of this without the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) bringing it up."

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