Not ready to play cricket with Pakistan: Indian government

India's sports minister Vijay Goel tells BCCI to take them in confidence before making any decision

NEW DELHI: India on Monday ruled out any cricket series against Pakistan until "cross-border terrorism" stops.

The Indian and Pakistani cricket boards are scheduled to meet in Dubai on Monday (today) to discuss a possible bilateral series. And the two countries play each other at the Champions Trophy in England on June 4.

But they have not played a bilateral series in India or Pakistan since 2012.

"India, Pakistan cannot play bilateral series till cross-border terror from Pakistan [stops]. Terror and sports cannot go hand in hand," India's sports minister Vijay Goel told reporters, referring to India's accusations against Pakistan in the disputed Kashmir region.

Goel told Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ask for the government’s permission whenever they want to take a decision on playing with Pakistan. "BCCI should first talk to the government before giving any proposal to Pakistan,” he said.

While bilateral series remain frozen, their clashes on the international stage, such as at the Champions Trophy, create high anticipation. "We have no control on multi-national games and events," Goel clarified.

According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the two sides have to play six series between 2015 and 2023.

However India did not tour Pakistan and even refused a neutral venue in 2015. The possibility of India hosting their neighbours this year also looks bleak with political tensions over Kashmir on the boil.

The PCB has threatened to take legal action against the BCCI if the MoU is not honoured, but it is still ready for dialogue.

BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary has made it clear that India "remains committed to playing", but the "series cannot go ahead without the permission of the Indian government". AFP