BCCI president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla to travel Pakistan for Asia Cup inaugural match as guests
According to reports being circulated on news media, BCCI president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla have finally accepted the invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board to be honourable guest at Asia Cup matches. They are scheduled to visit Lahore from September 4 to 7 to attend a couple of Asia Cup matches.
The PCB had extended the invitation to all the top officials of BCCI, and the president and vice-president have obtained the approval of the Indian board to accept this invitation. The Asia Cup’s first match is between Pakistan and Nepal on August 30 in Multan. Afterward, four matches will take place in Sri Lanka, including the much-anticipated Pakistan-India match.
As per a source familiar with the matter, “Binny, Shukla, and secretary Jay Shah will attend the India vs Pakistan match in Pallekele (Kandy) on September 2. They will return to India on September 3, after which the president and vice-president will travel to Lahore via the Wagah border.”
This is expected to be a long schedule with some important meetings en route. Both Binny and Shukla have received invitations for an official dinner at the Governor House in Lahore on September 4. It is not confirmed but being speculated that both some talks about ICC Men’s ODI World Cup can come up on table.
It is understood that these two BCCI officials will watch the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match on September 5 and Pakistan’s opening Super Four fixture on the next day. Then their official visit will conclude and as Indian fans are optimistic, if India plays semi-final and final, all the honourable guests of BCCI including Jay Shah will watch these matches.
Due to deteriorating political relations, both countries have been hostile towards eachother for more than a decade. India and Pakistan don’t take part in bilateral series, it is only in ICC or Asian tournaments, they come to face each other. Last time, these two nations faced each other in a cricket match was in November 2022 at MCG in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Security threats have been a big reason why both countries haven’t found a common ground where cricket can flourish despite political differences. Whether it was India taking part in Asia Cup in Pakistan or the latter taking part in World Cup games in India, only long talks and adjustments from both sides made it possible for a cricket match to take place.
