After being disappointed that bilateral cricket series is not discussed in the visit of Indian Foreign Minister Shushma Suraj to Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Board has extended the deadline for two more days for Indian response. If Board to Control Cricket in India (BCCI) would not give positive response within next 48 hours, bilateral series should be considered off.
Initially Chairman of PCB Sheheryar Khan gave an ambitious deadline of one day to BCCI to reply but latter it was expected that Shushma Suraj would announce willingness of Indian government to go ahead for bilateral cricket series. But she visited Pakistan, held talks with Prime Minister of Pakistan and National Security Advisor on wide range of issues but not on cricket. Now she has gone back to her country and BCCI officials talking about slight chances of series but Sheheryar Khan is unable to figure it out. PCB also used the card of boycotting next T20 world cup going to be held in India if India denies playing series with Pakistan, but it did not work out either.
It’s true that if bilateral series would not take place, PCB would lose at least $50 million, but for how long it would allow BCCI to keep playing with its patience. PCB should get away with it and plan future schedule of Pakistan Cricket team.
On the other side BCCI the richest cricket board of Cricketing world should not put aside its promise to play six series with Pakistan in an eight-year period till 2023. Pakistan is supposed to host India this December according to memorandum of understanding between both countries. No body would buy the idea not to play cricket with Pakistan on political grounds when most of the bilateral sports are being taking place. It’s beyond common sense that bilateral talks are taking place but no room for revival of cricket ties.
Once again BBCI is backing off from its promise to play cricket series with Pakistan.
