BCCI requests Union Government to convey their stance on bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently written to the Union Government requesting their stance on the bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan. India and Pakistan have not faced off in any bilateral cricket series since the year 2012. Everytime the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent out a proposal to play a bilateral series, the Indian board has declined it citing the non-clearance from the Union Government.

The Central government has not been in favor of keeping cricketing ties with Pakistan due to political tensions between the two countries. Now, PCB is keen on dragging the matters to the higher authorities. The members of PCB and the BCCI are set to have a formal communication about the same at the ICC Disputes Resolution Forum in Dubai.

The PCB has claimed USD 70 million from the BCCI for not honoring the MoU, which the two boards had signed in the year 2014. Before the officials of the Indian cricket board head to the forum, they have raised a written request to the government to formally convey their stance on the issue. They need to keep themselves clear from their front.

“The BCCI would be grateful if you could formally convey the policy/position of the Government of India on the need or requirement of prior clearance from the Government of India for the Indian cricket team to play the Pakistan cricket in in-bound or out-bound tours,” BCCI recently wrote to the ministry.

Routine communications with the Government

One of the officials, as per the reports in PTI, confirmed that the news of the request raised by the board. The official remarked that having a written response from the government will give a better clarity on the reservations that the government is having in regard to this issue.

“These are routine communications on part of BCCI. It is our duty to seek permission from the government with regards to bilateral series. Our job is to ask and it’s up to the government. We understand that bilateral series in prevailing circumstances is very difficult. But if we get a reply from the government in ‘black and white’, it will help us,” a senior BCCI official quoted.

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