The Indian government on May 29 warned Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of stern action against holding a bilateral series against Pakistan. This reaction from the BJP-led NDA government came hours ahead of the BCCI and PCB meet in Dubai today to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. The Central government in its statement has said that there will be no cricket series with Pakistan until the neighbouring country puts an end to terror activities.
While talking to media persons, sports minister Vijay Goel has said that “cricket and terrorism can’t go hand-in-hand.” Earlier this month, the PCB had sent a notice of dispute to the Indian board, claiming losses for the BCCI’s refusal to tour in 2015.
BCCI ko sarkaar se baat karne ke baad proposal dena chahiye. Atankwad aur khel saath nahi chal sakte: Vijay Goel on BCCI-PCB meet in Dubai pic.twitter.com/UzEiE4kY5R
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 29, 2017
“We still remain committed to playing, but the position doesn’t change: the series cannot go ahead without the permission of the government of India. After PCB wrote to us, we have written to the government of India again, and are awaiting the response. I believe the dialogue should go on, which is why we are meeting,” BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary maintained on May 25.
Indian will not play cricket with Pakistan, says Indian government
The two arch-rivals last encountered each other in a bilateral series in December 2012 when Pakistan visited India for a limited overs series that included three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals.
Fast forward to June 4 this year. India is all set to play Pakistan in the Champions Trophy on June 4 at Edgbaston, England. The Champions Trophy will kick start from June 1.
Here’s the schedule:
1 June – England v Bangladesh, The Oval
2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston
3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval
4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston
5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval
6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff
7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston
8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval
9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff
10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston
11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval
12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff
14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff
15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston
18 June – Final, The Oval
