The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has once again made their stand clear on the Indian team not travelling to Pakistan to play the upcoming Asia Cup. The reiteration of India not keen to travel to Pakistan was made at the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) executive board meeting held in Bahrain on Saturday.
Reason: BCCI said it won’t get ‘clearance from the Indian government’ to travel to Pakistan to play cricket.
The BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the chairman of the ACC, had earlier stated that BCCI won’t be sending its team to Pakistan. The BCCI has no problem playing in another country where PCB can be a host nation. Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah are being looked at as possible venues for Asia Cup if PCB agrees to host the tournament.
It is understood BCCI secretary Shah also spoke to PCB’s new chairman Najam Sethi.
PCB was keen on hosting the Asia Cup and pointed to international teams touring the country to assure players of safety. Teams like England, New Zealand and Australia have toured Pakistan and played Test cricket. PCB wants cricketing ties with the Indian team to resume like earlier, however, the BCCI seems to be reluctant to travel to Pakistan.
“The Indian government will not give permission for the Indian team to travel to Pakistan. The BCCI has tried to make other boards understand the situation. So everyone thought to wait for one more month,” a BCCI source informed
The statement added, “In another development the executive board approved the inclusion of teams from Japan (JAPAN CRICKET ASSOCIATION) and Indonesia (PERSUTAN CRICKET INDONESIA) in the ACC pathway tournaments to participate in the events as invitees. The ACC will also look into revive women’s cricket in Afghanistan, who aren’t playing cricket post Taliban rule in the country.