This is purely cricketing invitation and shouldn’t be mixed with politics: BCCI VP Shukla on Pakan visit | Cricket News
For the first time in 17 years, two senior BCCI office-bearers — president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla — travelled to Pakan and reached Lahore on Monday after crossing the Attari-Wagah, honouring the PCB’s invitation to watch Asia Cup there.
The last time an Indian cricket team travelled to Pakan was back in 2008 for the Asia Cup. Pakan last hosted India for a bilateral series in 2006.
The BCCI had refused to send its team to Pakan for the Asia Cup, which led to a bi-nation ‘Hybrid Model’ arrangement. But in a heartening gesture, the BCCI approved former Test player Binny and Congressman Shukla’s participation in a dinner hosted the Governor of Punjab province of Pakan.
“Pakan is the host of Asia Cup. The visit this delegation is purely cricketing and there is no politics involved. It is a two-day visit and the Governor of Punjab is hosting us for dinner and all three teams Bangladesh, Afghanan and Pakan will be present. We shouldn’t mix cricket with politics,” Shukla told mediapersons.Most Read
1
India vs Nepal Live Score, Asia Cup 2023: Play stopped due to rain, NEP are six down with 12.1 ovs remaining
2
Anurag Kashyap says he feels ‘guilty’ about asking Vicky Kaushal to do his films now, because he can no longer afford him
See More
Shukla, who has been with the Indian cricket board for more than two decades, was a part of BCCI delegation that came for the horic ‘Friendship Series’ back in 2004.
Asked about the chances of resumption of bilateral cricketing contests, the Rajya Sabha MP said: “The decision with regards to bilateral series is taken the Indian government and we would follow whatever the government suggests.” Binny recollected his last visit to Pakan which incidentally was more than 16 years ago when he was a part of the Asian Cricket Council.
“My last visit of Pakan was in 2006 when I was a part of Asian Cricket Council. Pakan’s hospitality has been very, very good and we were treated very well,” said Binny.
