RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has expressed his displeasure over ‘political interference’ on part of Indian authorities regarding the decision not to send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.
Ramiz called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and big boards to play their part in breaking the impasse between the two neighbouring countries.
“There is no reason why India couldn’t come to Pakistan and Pakistan go to India,” Chairman PCB told BBC Test Match Special on Friday during the second day of the opening Test between Pakistan and England.
Pakistan are set to host the Asia Cup next year for the first time after 15 years but BCCI secretary Jay Shah has stated that he will not allow the Indian team to travel to Pakistan for the event but rather insists that the tournament should be shifted to a neutral venue.
“Both boards need to come to terms with whether we want to play each other or not. Pakistan is willing, but they quote political interference. You can’t work when there is political interference.” said Ramiz
“Why give [the Asia Cup] to us in the first place and then make all those statements that India will not travel? India cannot come because the government will not allow them because that has been the stated position, but to take the Asia Cup away from us is just not right.” he added.
The two arch-rivals have not played each other in any bilateral series since 2013, when Pakistan toured India for three ODIs and two T20Is, while around 15 years have passed since the two teams played their last Test match.
PCB chief urged the ICC and two of its powerful members, Australia Cricket and England and Wales Cricket Board, to break their silence over the matter and mend fences between Pakistan and India.
“The neutral cricket boards that have held important positions, when they keep quiet it frustrates me completely,” he said.
“The International Cricket Council has to think out of the box and work better.”
With the England Test team currently on their historic tour of Pakistan after 17 years and playing their first Test of the three-game series in Rawalpindi, Ramiz believed that the country had dispelled the security concerns and was prepared to host India as well.
“We are geared security-wise and cricket-wise to host India,” he insisted.
“Hosting England is a very proud, a very proud moment indeed, for all the fans also.”
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