https://arab.news/mzg64
- BCCI president Roger Binny and vice president Rajeev Shukla visit Pakistan’s Lahore city
- Indian officials remain tight-lipped about prospect of bilateral cricket between both countries
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf on Monday hoped cricket relations between arch-rivals India and Pakistan would “flourish” as top officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) arrived in Lahore to watch the upcoming matches of the ongoing Asia Cup tournament.
Political tensions between India and Pakistan mean the two cricket giants face each other only at international venues. India refused to travel to Pakistan for this year’s Asia Cup, forcing the PCB to agree to a “hybrid model” according to which Sri Lanka are the co-hosts of the tournament.
Former Indian cricketer and BCCI President Roger Binny and BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla arrived in Lahore on Monday, where they were welcomed by Ashraf.
“We will grow together, and God willing, Pakistan-India relations will flourish,” Ashraf told reporters while warmly clasping Binny and Shukla’s hands.
“We invited them, and they responded kindly. We will reciprocate with a visit to India when they invite us,” Ashraf said.
Chief of Pakistan Cricket Board, Zaka Ashraf (fourth from right), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Roger Binny (third left) and Vice-President Rajiv Shukla (fourth left) are pictured during a ceremony in Lahore, Pakistan, on September 4, 2023. (Photo courtesy: PCB)
The Indian board officials, however, remained tight-lipped about the possibility of the two countries playing cricket in each other’s countries.
“I am pleased to be back in Pakistan,” Binny said, adding that the tour to Pakistan has been “very welcoming.”
“We will be watching the Afghanistan-Sri Lanka match tomorrow,” he added.
Shukla said he enjoyed cordial relations with Ashraf.
“We have come here at the invitation of the PCB,” he said. “We have very old cricket relations and we feel happy to be here.”
Shukla said the BCCI officials’ visit was “solely focused on cricket” and urged Pakistani fans to relish exciting cricket action in the days ahead.
Before departing from India earlier today, Shukla clarified that the visit had no political implications.
“This is entirely apolitical; we are here as a goodwill gesture since Pakistan is the host of the Asia Cup,” he told Indian media before departing for Pakistan. “Regarding playing cricket here, that decision lies with our government.”
The BCCI delegation is also expected to watch Pakistan’s Super 4 stage match on September 6 at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium.