NEW DELHI: Breaking a 17-year hiatus, two prominent BCCI office-bearers, president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla, embarked on a journey to Pakistan, arriving in Lahore on Monday after crossing the Attari-Wagah border. This significant visit was made in response to the PCB's invitation to witness the Asia Cup.
The last instance of an Indian cricket team visiting Pakistan occurred in 2008 during the Asia Cup, and a bilateral series between the two nations took place back in 2006 when Pakistan last hosted India.
While the BCCI had declined to send its team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, it resulted in the development of a unique 'Hybrid Model' arrangement involving both nations.
In a positive and diplomatic move, the BCCI granted approval for the participation of former Test player Roger Binny and Congressman Shukla in a dinner event hosted by the Governor of the Punjab province in Pakistan.
"Pakistan is the host of the Asia Cup. The visit by 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, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be present. We shouldn't mix cricket with politics," Shukla told mediapersons.
Shukla, who has been with the Indian cricket board for more than two decades, was a part of the BCCI delegation that came for the historic '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 by the Indian government and we would follow whatever the government suggests."
Binny recollected his last visit to Pakistan which incidentally was more than 16 years ago when he was a part of the Asian Cricket Council.
"My last visit of Pakistan was in 2006 when I was a part of the Asian Cricket Council. Pakistan's hospitality has been very, very good and we were treated very well," said Binny.
(With PTI Inputs)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
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