In a significant development, two senior officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla, traveled to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023. This visit marks the first time in 17 years that such high-ranking BCCI officials have visited Pakistan.
The last time an Indian cricket team visited Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup. Since then, Pakistan had not hosted India for a bilateral series since 2006.
The BCCI initially declined to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, leading to the adoption of a bi-national ‘Hybrid Model’ arrangement. However, in a positive gesture, the BCCI approved the participation of former Test player Roger Binny and Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Shukla in a dinner hosted by the Governor of Punjab province in Pakistan.
Rajeev Shukla emphasized that the visit was purely cricket-related and should not be mixed with politics. The visit was scheduled for two days and included the participation of all three teams: Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Rajeev Shukla said
“Pakistan is the host of Asia Cup. The visit by this delegation is purely cricketing and there is no politics involved. It is a two-day visit and the Governor of Punjab is hosting us for dinner and all three teams Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be present. We shouldn’t mix cricket with politics,” Shukla told mediapersons.
When asked about the possibility of resuming bilateral cricketing contests between India and Pakistan, Rajeev Shukla stated that decisions regarding bilateral series are made by the Indian government, and they would follow the government’s recommendations.
“The decision with regards to bilateral series is taken by the Indian government and we would follow whatever the government suggests,” he added.
Roger Binny recalled his last visit to Pakistan, which was more than 16 years ago when he was part of the Asian Cricket Council.
“My last visit of Pakistan was in 2006 when I was a part of Asian Cricket Council. Pakistan’s hospitality has been very, very good and we were treated very well,” said Binny.
This visit holds significance for cricketing relations between India and Pakistan, as it showcases a cricketing bridge between the two nations after a long gap.
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