Published: Sep 27, 2015, 08:41 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 27, 2015, 08:50 PM (IST)
New Delhi: Ruling out any chances whatsoever of an India–Pakistan series in December, senior Indian cricket official Rajeev Shukla has said he would like to see both countries resume cricketing ties but only after Pakistan have resolved “some issues and reservations” of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Shukla, who is presently Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), also dismissed claims by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan that India must honour the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed between the two boards last year. “You ask Shaharyar Khan details about the MoU and whether conditions set in it are being met at the moment to play any bilateral series,” Shukla said on Geo Super channel on Saturday night. READ: Pakistan won’t play their home series in India: Shaharyar Khan
He also ruled out any chances of the two boards resuming bilateral ties in December. “That is not happening because of the existing situation and secondly we first need to get clearance from our government for the series and then ask PCB to also first resolve some reservations and issues that we have,” he said. Shukla said whenever the series is held, India would first like Pakistan to resolve these issues but didn’t elaborate on them. READ: Shahid Afridi urges PCB to stop pushing for cricket series with India
Meanwhile Shaharyar told the media this week that a boycott of matches against India in ICC and ACC events was an option if the Indian board officially refused to play the planned series against Pakistan in December. In a hard-hitting statement Shaharyar, a retired career diplomat, said it was disappointing that until now the BCCI had not even sought permission for the December series from the concerned ministry in India.
“Nothing is final or decided as yet but if the Indian board officially backs out of the series than we have the option of boycotting all matches against them in ICC and ACC events as well,” he said in the interview.
Shukla said that if Pakistan took the decision of boycotting India in international events then the ICC had laws to deal with such a situation. India have avoided playing against Pakistan since 2007, the last time the two countries played a proper bilateral test series. Shukla said he would like to see both countries play cricket but only when the situation was normal and relations improved.
“Right now no team is willing to tour Pakistan because of the security situation there.” Due to the Eid holidays since Thursday there has been no reaction from the PCB on Shukla’s statements.
