The authenticity of the news regarding an aircraft carrying the message ‘Release Imran Khan’ flying over New York’s Nassau stadium during the India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup match on Sunday has been confirmed.
Both national and international media outlets have reported on the incident, with videos circulating on various media platforms and social media.
The sight of the private plane, adorned with a trailing placard, caused a stir among the 30,000-plus fans gathered at Nassau County Cricket Stadium. This occurred as India commenced its innings against Pakistan in the highly anticipated event of the T20 World Cup 2024.
The act of private planes making political statements over cricket venues has long troubled the ICC, as it provides activists with free publicity without expenditure. The arrest of Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, on August 5, 2023, and his implication in various cases, further underscores the political undertones surrounding the incident.
Release Imran Khan ????????#PakvsInd pic.twitter.com/FOPnnWy3Se
— PTI (@PTIofficial) June 9, 2024
During the 2019 World Cup in England, similar messages about Palestine and Kashmir frequently appeared in the skies over many stadiums, particularly during high-profile matches. Despite the ICC’s efforts to prevent such intrusions and maintain the sport’s neutrality, the UK Government’s failure to close airspace rendered these efforts unsuccessful.
