JKCA fumes at Services last-minute backout from Ranji match

Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association chief Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday reacted angrily to Services' refusal to come to J&K for a Ranji match on security grounds, saying the team's decision projects a bad image of India and he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister.

"Services have negated what the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and the Home Minister have said, that Kashmir is normal. We have also had ambassadors coming here. This shows that some vested interests don't want Kashmir to normalise," Abdullah fumed.

"I will take this up with the government of India. We were all waiting for the Services. We were here to welcome them. It looks very bad that of all teams, Services decided not to come. It shows a very bad image of India," he told reporters.

"What is the government of India doing?" he thundered.

"They have been advised not to come. Now, we will have to find out, who has advised them not to come. This incident has got a much larger picture. It is about, is Kashmir normal or not?"

"Services is saying Kashmir is not normal. To hell with them for that...they want us to burn all the time so that they can remain our masters," a livid Abdullah said.

Services have given a walkover to J&K in the Plate Division match, saying they have security apprehensions about going to J&K for the match.

Assistant coach of Services J P Pandey said that the team was asked not to proceed for the match in Jammu and Kashmir and were told to prepare for the next game.

The BCCI, meanwhile, said it would decide on whether to penalise Services after investigating the reasons of the team's pullout.

"The BCCI rules will be applicable in the case and will investigate the reasons for Services' refusal and take necessary action," a BCCI official said.