BCCI yet to receive government permission to host 2018 Asia Cup

Pakistan and India haven't played a bilateral series since 2012-13.

India played against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy earlier this year | Getty

The Chief Executives of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) were expected to finalize the format, teams and itinerary of the forthcoming edition of Asia Cup in a meeting in Dubai on December 18. There had been plenty of buzz surrounding the meeting since it was to decide the fate of India’s hosting rights.

However, the BCCI’s staging of the tournament still remains in doubt since the event will have a team from Pakistan and Indian cricket board are yet to get a clearance from its BJP ruled government.

There were reports claiming that the BCCI might lose hosting rights for 2018 Asia Cup if it refuses to invite Pakistan. In contrast, some reports suggested that they could withdraw from hosting the all-important event. However, sources following the matter closely informed Geo.tv that there is no change in the tournament’s host.

 “Asia Cup 2018 was awarded last year to India, so far there is no change in status. BCCI has not yet received permission from the Indian government to host it. Neither has PCB gotten permission from the Pakistani government to play in India, hence the uncertainty persists,” the source was quoted saying by Geo.tv.

India and Pakistan do lock horns with each other during the world events and had played in the ICC Champions Trophy in England in June 2017. However, playing Pakistan has always been a dilemma for the BCCI. Even at the start of this year, the cricket board had sought clearance from the Indian government in order to play a bilateral series with Pakistan next year. Amid all the tussle between both the countries at the LOC, the request was expectedly turned down by the BJP led Indian government.

As far as featuring in a bilateral series is concerned – India had last played Pakistan in 2012-13 in a three-match ODI series at home. They have not played a Test series since 2007. However, Pakistan had travelled to Indian to play the 2011 World Cup and 2016 World T20.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 21 Dec, 2017

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