LAHORE:
Politics and sports should be kept separate, stated Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan while referring to the on-going tension between India and Pakistan, which has put their bilateral series at risk of cancellation, a local media outlet reported.
Due to the recent tension between Pakistan and India dark clouds hover over the resumption of the bilateral series between the two countries scheduled to be held in the UAE later this year.
The PCB chairman said that he believed that sports and politics should be dealt with separately, adding but if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wanted to mix politics and sports and did not want to come to the UAE for Pakistan series, it is up to them.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday after the prize distribution ceremony of a local tournament at the Gaddafi Stadium, the PCB chief said the Board had Plan B if India refused to play against Pakistan in the UAE, though he did not disclose any details.
“Place political factor between the two countries at one place and sports at another,” maintained Shaharyar.
“However, if the BCCI decides against the said series due to the ongoing tension, it will be their own decision,” said the PCB chief who held out hope that the series will be held. “I hope the bilateral series between the two countries will go as per the schedule,” Shaharyar further said.
“When we went to India in 1999 pitches were dug up but even then we played there. And the Indians supported us a lot. I also remember that 20 to 30 thousand Indian spectators in Chennai gave our team a standing ovation,” he remarked.
