A major statement has come from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding political interference in Indian cricket.
This statement also came in the backdrop of the BCCI’s alleged refusal to send the Indian team to Pakistan next year ICC Champions Trophy. The last edition took place in 2017 when the 2025 hosts defeated Virat Kohli’s team in the final. When the Champions Trophy takes place in Pakistan, the Men in Green will enter the competition as reigning champions.
What prompted the PCB official to denounce India’s politicians?
A few weeks ago, Indian captain Rohit Sharma had said that the Indian team would like to play against Pakistan in a bilateral series. The last time they took part in a non-ICC or ACC event was in 2013 when the Pakistanis toured India for a three-match ODI series and a two-match T20I series respectively.
While the T20 series had remained a draw, Pakistan had won the ODI series by a margin of 2-1. This particular series was the last time we witnessed an Indo-Pak bilateral series. Since then, they have only met in ICC events such as the Champions Trophy, 50-Over World Cup, T20 World Cup and Asia Cup tournaments.
Following Rohit Sharma’s comments, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had given the go-ahead for a future bilateral series but he had one condition. Naqvi stated that he would only allow the Pakistan team to play a bilateral series if India visits his country for the Champions Trophy in February 2025.
Weeks after this statement by Mohsin Naqvi, a PCB source criticized India’s political scene for its interference in cricket matters. The source also stated that while Indian players are willing to play against Pakistan, it is the political leadership that is imposing constraints on them.
“PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has already said that Pakistan is ready to play a bilateral series with India at a neutral venue only if India agrees to take part in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year,” the PCB said -Source told IANS.
“There is a clear and glaring contrast between Rohit Sharma’s statement and a corresponding BCCI source story. It clearly shows that when it comes to cricket, the players are ready and have no problem playing against each other at the home ground. But it is the political leadership of India that creates trouble and blocks the way every time,” a source said via IANS.
India will face Pakistan on June 9
Meanwhile, the latest chapter in the rivalry between India and Pakistan will open in the iconic city of New York on June 9 when they clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Out of the seven matches played against each other in the T20 World Cups, India have claimed victories in 5 matches while Pakistan won only 1. The game only remained a draw once.
The highest score in the game was 160, the lowest was 118.
India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh , Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj. Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan