Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said that there would be no sporting event, including IND vs PAK bilateral cricket series, until Pakistan addresses concerns related to cross-border terrorism and infiltration into India.
BCCI President Roger Binny’s recent visit to Pakistan during Asia Cup 2023, raised speculations of renewed cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. However, Anurag Thakur has sternly clarified that there will be no sporting ties between both countries till Pakistan stops cross border terrorism.
“BCCI has already taken the decision that bilateral matches with Pakistan will not be played by India till they stop cross-border terrorism,” Thakur said.
“This is in line with the sentiments of Indian citizens,” he added.
This statement comes amidst diplomatic tensions between the two nations and recent tragic events in Anantnag.
There were demands for the BCCI for boycotting the Pakistan cricket team and any match with them after three officers were martyred while fighting terrorists during an encounter in Anantnag.
The cricketing relationship between India and Pakistan has remained strained for several years, with both sides only meeting on the cricket field during International Cricket Council (ICC) and continental events. Both countries have not played any bilateral cricket since 2012.
IND vs PAK in World Cup 2023
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s cricket team is currently participating in the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka. In the ongoing tournament, they have faced Pakistan twice. Originally, the Asia Cup was scheduled to be held entirely in Pakistan, but the BCCI didn’t agree to send the Indian team due to security reasons.
However, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) eventually reached a compromise, deciding on a hybrid model for the Asia Cup. Under this arrangement, some matches were played in Pakistan, while the remaining matches are being played in Sri Lanka.
India will now face the arch rivals in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup. The India vs Pakistan match will take place on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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