India vs Pakistan Cricket: PCB vs BCCI: Pakistan Cricket Board is taking a page out of BCCI’s book on IND vs PAK cricket. After ex-chairman Ramiz Raja threatened to pull out of ICC World Cup 2023, new chairman Najam Sethi has passed the buck to Pakistan govt. On Monday, he said that PCB will follow the Pakistan govt’s decision on Babar Azam & Co travelling to India for World Cup. On the Asia Cup 2023, Sethi said, PCB won’t take any action which can cause isolation. Follow ICC World Cup 2023 & Asia Cup 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“We will obey whatever the government would suggest to us. We will seek the government’s advice when the time arrives, similar to the last time I was the chairman. As far as Asia Cup is concerned, I will go to ACC and see what the situation is. We’ll take a decision which is in the better interest of the game,” Najam Sethi told media on Monday.
India vs Pakistan Cricket: After BCCI, PCB passes the BUCK to Pakistan Govt, new chairman Najam Sethi says ‘PCB to follow govt’s advice on World Cup 2023’
It all started when BCCI Secretary Jay Shah who is also the Asian Cricket Council President said India will not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup. The reason is that it is not up to the BCCI to take a call. With poor diplomatic relations, India have refused any bilateral cricket ties between the two nations. India only meet Pakistan on neutral ground in multi-national events.
“We have decided we will not travel to Pakistan. We will play at a neutral venue. Neutral venue for Asia Cup is not unprecedented. It’s the govt which decides over the permission of our team visiting Pakistan. So, we won’t comment on that but for the 2023 Asia Cup, it is decided that the tournament will be held at a neutral venue,” Shah said after the BCCI AGM in October.
Following which PCB released a statement, threatening to take the matter to the ICC. Soon came Ramiz Raja’s statement that if India boycott Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan will boycott World Cup 2023. While the voice since then has mellowed down a bit, Pakistan now has pushed it their government to take a call.
“We have to see what other board’s position is, we have to play cricket with everyone, we will not take any step which can cause any isolation,” Najam Sethi said.
India vs Pakistan Cricket: Why BCCI unlikely to get Govt of India’s NOD for Pakistan visit?
- The government of India has refused any bilateral relation, accusing Pakistan of terror funding.
- India only engages with Pakistan at world forums publically. There have been no diplomatic relations since Narendra Modi’s visit to Pakistan in 2015.
- Following Pulwama and Pathankot attacks and subsequent surgical strike, the relation has only worsened.
- As a result, the GoI is all set to deny BCCI’s request to visit Pakistan for the 50-over Asia Cup in 2023.
- However, there could be repercussions.
- India are set to host the ICC World Cup in 2023 and Pakistan government might deny participating.
- Pakistan will also host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
- If the GoI gives green signal for a visit to Pakistan for an ACC tournament, it could open up an avenue for bilateral cricket.
- At the moment, there is still time and if the government of India changes its stance and relations improve, it could be possible in future.
India vs Pakistan Cricket: After BCCI, PCB passes the BUCK to Pakistan Govt, new chairman Najam Sethi says ‘PCB to follow govt’s advice on World Cup 2023’
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