Former Indian captain Bishan Singh Bedi raises voice against BCCI for politicizing cricket

Only yesterday the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that they are exploring ways to avoid the arch-rivals Pakistan in the women’s section. The discussion arose after the International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) confirmed that Pakistan will not be included in India’s schedule for four years starting from 2019. The political relation between both the nations is not that great, and now its shadow has fallen up the game of cricket too.

However, former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi feels that one should not “narrow down the meaning of patriotism” by politicising the bilateral cricketing relationship with the neighbours. One of the staunchest critics of BCCI, Bedi has a penchant for plain speaking. During the annual DDCA Conclave, he told PTI in an interaction, “Why politicise cricket? Have you been able to wipe off terrorism by not playing cricket? Cricket is a platform to come closer.”

He added, “This is not right. I am not talking anti-India if I am asking for a cricket series with Pakistan. Let’s not narrow down the meaning of patriotism.”

India will have to share points if they face Pakistan

Last time India played a series against Pakistan was in 2012, following which the Indian government adhered to a zero tolerance for an Indo-Pak bilateral series. Since then, India has played against Pakistan only in ICC events.

With the confirmation from the ICC, the Indian board can now prepare its schedule without having to play Pakistan. However, in the first two years of the cycle, a team is required to only play six teams, with three home and three away games each. It implies that whenever Pakistan is made part of the championship cycle, India may have to lose points or share them as the neighbours have always been ready to play.

The ICC schedule is set to be discussed in Singapore on December 7 and 8.