‘No More Begging’: PCB Takes Strong Stance On Cricket Ties With India Ahead Of IND Vs PAK Asia Cup Clash

‘No More Begging’: PCB Takes Strong Stance On Cricket Ties With India Ahead Of IND Vs PAK Asia Cup Clash (Credit: X)

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has ruled out the possibility of PCB 'begging' BCCI for resuming bilateral ties. India-Pakistan is the biggest-selling cricket game, but the bilateral cricket ties between the two countries have been suspended for more than a decade due to India's strong stance against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

Despite the tense political ties between the countries, they continue to play in ICC events and the Asia Cup . There were doubts whether India would even play Pakistan in these tournaments after the Pahalgam attack, but the Indian government cleared that sporting ties in multinational events will continue as they are bound by international sports governing bodies. The ministry also confirmed that players and teams from Pakistan will be able to compete the events hosted by India; however, it made a clear statement that there will be no bilateral sporting ties between the countries.

"In so far as bilateral sports events in each other's country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India," the ministry's statement said.

"With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons. It is also relevant to take into account India's emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events.

"Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India.

'No More Begging For Negociations' - Mohsin Naqvi India and Pakistan will now clash on September 14 in the Asia Cup, but Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said that any negotiation for resuming bilateral ties will be done on equal terms going forward.

“I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held will be on an equal footing with India and there will be no more begging for negotiations. That time has passed and whatever will happen will be on the basis of equality,” Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore, days before the start of the Asia Cup.

Earlier, the BCCI, PCB, and ICC had decided that all India vs Pakistan matches in the tournament hosted by either of the countries would be played at neutral venues.

Click here to read article