BCCI seeks clearance from the government for hosting U19 Asia Cup

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is trying to seek clearance from the Indian government to host the Under-19 Youth Asia Cup. The authorization is needed since Pakistan will also participate in the competition. The tournament for the young guns is to be played in November, and as per reports, the Indian board is awaiting a confirmation from the Home Ministry to which it had written a couple of days ago.

BCCI has also sought some time from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) if they can push the event back so that the board get more time to seek approval from the central government. India and Pakistan’s cricket rivalry has been limited to only ICC events since the authorities don’t allow them to indulge in a bilateral series due to cross border terrorism. Earlier this year, the government had turned down BCCI’s request for a bilateral series with Pakistan next year.

“The BCCI has written to the Indian government seeking permission for whether we can host the Youth Asia Cup for under-19 boys. In normal circumstances, we wouldn’t be too worried about getting the clearance but since the tournament would include a team from Pakistan an approval is being sought. The government’s stance so far has been that India cannot play Pakistan in a bilateral series but there’s no clarity on whether they could face each other in a multinational event like this,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express.

Cross border terrorism halts cricketing ties 

In fact, objections were also raised to the two teams playing in multilateral events. A few news agencies in India had refused to cover the tie between the two teams in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 as they do not intend to watch a game with those who target the country. It remains to be seen if the centre gives a nod for the tournament.