BCCI urges government to formally convey its stand on India-Pakistan bilateral series

India and Pakistan have not faced each other in a bilateral series since 2012.

India and Pakistan haven't played a Test match since 2007

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has urged the central government to formally put across its stand on the India-Pakistan bilateral cricketing ties. The South Asian arch-rivals haven’t faced each other in a bilateral series since 2012 and considering the current hostility in its diplomatic ties, the bilateral series seems a distant dream right now.

"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, as per the reports in PTI.

When asked about the latest e-mail, a senior BCCI official told PTI: "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."

Playing Pakistan has always been a dilemma for the BCCI. Earlier last year, the cricket board had sought clearance from the government to play a bilateral series with the arch-rivals. Amid all the tussle between both the countries at the LOC, the request was expectedly turned down by the BJP ruled Indian government.

It is pertinent to mention that both the boards had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2014, as per which the arch-rivals should have played six bilateral series between 2015-2023.

Earlier this year, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had appealed to ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee, accusing the BCCI of not honouring the Future Tours & Programme (FTP) commitment.

"The International Cricket Council on Monday confirmed that the Hon Michael Beloff QC will chair the Dispute Panel in the matter of proceedings between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India," ICC had then said in a media release.

"The two other members of the panel, which has been established under the Terms of Reference of the ICC Disputes Resolution Committee, are Jan Paulsson and Dr Anabelle Benett AO, SC," the press release further stated.

The world governing body for the game had also clarified that the decision of Dispute Panel will be non-appealable.

"The hearing will take place as per article 10.4 of the Terms of Reference of the ICC Disputes Resolution Committee, the decision of the Dispute Panel shall be non-appealable and shall remain the full and final decision in relation to the matter and binding on all parties," the world governing body for the game had said in a release.

The hearing is scheduled to take place on October 1-3 at the ICC headquarters in Dubai.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 28 May, 2018

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