Kolkata: The possibilities of the resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan was dented yet again as Sports Minister Vijay Goel confirmed his stand on the issue saying that such a thing isn’t possible until and unless the cross border terrorist activities come to an end.
The minister made these comments in response to the BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary said that India wasn’t opposed to playing cricket with Pakistan. The minister further confirmed that the Indian government must be consulted before any proposal of such a series is made.
“BCCI must talk to government first. Bilateral series with Pakistan will be difficult because terror and cricket can’t go hand in hand,” said Vijay Goel.
“Pakistan is spreading terrorism in Kashmir, indulging in cross-border terrorism. In these cases, we can’t have a bilateral series with them. As far as multi-lateral events are concerned, we have no control over those. So the two countries will continue to play each other in such tournaments” he further added.
It was earlier this month that the BCCI slapped with a legal notice by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which claimed damages of around US 60 million dollars, which is ₹387 crore approximately. It criticised the BCCI of not honouring an agreement between the two boards which said that they would play five cycles of bilateral cricket between 2015-2023.
Meeting with PCB to be held this week
Amitabh Chaudhary, along with other BCCI officials would meet the PCB in Dubai this week and clarify to them that the series can’t happen without the consent of the government. They would request them to withdraw the case as well.
“We are not averse to a bilateral series with Pakistan. But everything depends on whether the government gives clearance,” said Chaudhary on Monday. “The series will not be possible without approval from the government,” he added.
The PCB’s increase of finances is heavily reliant on playing cricket against India. The country hasn’t yet been witness to international cricket ever since the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)