Khan didn’t wish to comment on the impasse surrounding the ICC chairmanship but made it clear that contrary to popular notion, there is no animosity between BCCI and PCB at the global forum. “So there is no current planning that we can factor into the next FTP (2023-31) unless circumstances and viewpoint changes of the Indian government,” the PCB CEO added.
PCB VISA SERIES
“I think on both sides, there is plenty of cricket to be played against other countries, but sadly for fans and players in both countries, it does not look like that India and Pakistan will be playing bilateral series in foreseeable future. “I think we have to be realistic about India and Pakistan bilateral series… BCCI needs to get permission before they can play Pakistan in any bilateral series, home, away or even on neutral venues,” he said. Unlike his predecessors in the Pakistan Cricket Board, Khan seemed practical when he clearly said that India and Pakistan aren’t going to play any bilateral series in near future in the current climate. Last year, Pakistani shooters could not get visas for a World Cup in Delhi, which kicked up quite a storm. Pakistan athletes’ participation in global events held in India has always been a contentious subject. “If it (visas) isn’t (there), then like any nation would expect, we would also expect ICC to take that up directly with India and the Indian government through the BCCI to resolve this matter.” We expect a response from the ICC on whether our players and officials will receive visas to participate in the tournament. “We have asked for a deadline till December-January, which we believe is the right thing. He then clarified that it’s only fair that there is a time-frame for such a deadline. “We have sought assurances from the ICC that our players will receive visas and ICC is now taking this up with the BCCI because that directive and confirmation will clearly need to come from their government,” Khan said. There is a ‘Host Agreement’ that states very clearly that host nation (India in this case) will have to provide visas and accommodation for teams that are due to participate in T20 World Cup and Pakistan is one of them,” Khan told PTI in an exclusive interaction. They do know that a cricket board of a country has absolutely no locus standi to give any assurance on an issue, which is not in their purview and is firmly in the decision-making sphere of the government,” the official added.“This is an ICC matter.
If they want to make it a political issue, it is of course their own wish.
“It is almost as if he is either desperately looking for a way out of his team playing in the tournament or he is grandstanding for some constituency back home. One can’t help but think that it is very immature of Mani to give a statement like this,” the official said. He is a gentleman and had in fact been a guide for Sourav during the pandemic along with Shashank (Manohar). “It was surprising to read Ehsan Mani’s comments, especially in the background of the wonderful working relationship that he shares with Sourav Ganguly (BCCI President) at the ICC. The official said that the remarks were more surprising because of Mani’s ‘wonderful’ relationship with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly. Speaking to reporters, a BCCI official stated that the Indian government has already made its policy clear when it comes to handing visas to players for international sporting events. The BCCI has hit back at Ehsan Mani over his remarks and called his comments immature. We have told the ICC that India should give written assurances by the end of March so that we know where we stand or we will push for the relocation of the World Cup from India to UAE,” Mani had told reporters. “We are not seeking written assurance for the visas of the national team only, but for the fans, officials and journalists as well.
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