Radio Brisvaani
Vijay Goel, the Union sports minister, on Monday, said the Indian government would not give permission for any bilateral cricket matches between India and Pakistan until the end of “cross-border terrorism”.
Goel’s comments came on a day the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were meeting in Dubai to discuss bilateral ties, which have remained suspended since 2012 due to tensions sparked by terrorist attacks in India, PTI reported.
The Indian government’s latest statement indicates that it is in no mood to relent on the pressure it is exerting on Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism, before starting a dialogue.
“BCCI should speak to the government before giving any proposal to Pakistan. I have made it clear that bilateral cricket with Pakistan is not possible till the time there is cross-border terror. We have, however, no say on multilateral events (ICC or International Cricket Council tournaments),” Goel said, according to PTI.
The PTI report said the cash-strapped PCB’s finances were heavily dependent on a series with India. Pakistan has not hosted any international match since a terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009.
Source: LiveMint
