Mathew said that BCCI is awaiting government’s permission on the series. PHOTO: AFP
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president TC Mathew on Friday said that India has not really rejected the idea of Pakistan-India series in December and the reply on the series is expected in October.
Mathew, who was in Dubai on Friday at the opening of the Kricket’s Spearo Academy told Sports360: “Look, it’s only September and the series is scheduled in December so maybe in October they could make a call.”
Former India team manager reiterated Pakistan’s stance saying that sports and politics should be kept separate and the venue for the series, the UAE, is ideal.
“Personally speaking, I’m against bringing politics into sports and we have to treat sports separately from politics. The India-Pakistan cricket ties is always a welcome move and the people of India and Pakistan want to see their national teams play against each other.
“As a cricket fan, I’d love to watch India-Pakistan series and the UAE is an ideal venue because a lot of Indian and Pakistanis live in this country.”
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Mathew added that BCCI is awaiting government’s permission on the series.
“We are waiting to get permission from the Indian government but only BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur and president Jagmohan Dalmiya are involved in the discussions.”
Earlier, on Friday, Pakistan T20 captain said that if India is not ready to play the aforementioned series with Pakistan then the PCB should stop pushing for it.
“I don’t know why we are pushing for India series,” said Afridi, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“There are other teams as well so we should be focusing on reviving our own home grounds. We have to work on the basic things and making them strong.
“Why insist on playing with India? I don’t see any need to play if they don’t want to play. We have invited them and if they do not want to play then it shouldn’t be a worry. We are still happy.”
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Pakistan and India were scheduled to play a series in December according to the MoU signed between both the countries. The change in government led BCCI to ask for permission from the new government which they haven’t gotten until now.
“Pakistan has always welcomed India, last time when India toured Pakistan nobody has seen such a welcome to any team in the world,” said Afridi.
“We have always supported India in tough times but it’s their government decision. But I understand people from both countries want to see their teams play each other. If we play each other it would be a bigger series than the Ashes.”
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