ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah discussed enhancing cricket relations between their two countries on Wednesday, with the latter extending a “warm welcome” to the former, the PCB said in a statement.
The development takes place a day before Ashraf is scheduled to travel to India on Thursday at the BCCI’s invitation, ahead of Pakistan’s World Cup match against Rohit Sharma’s side in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Ashraf said he was traveling to India to “motivate” the Pakistan cricket team, urging Babar Azam’s side to play “fearless cricket” against their arch-rivals on Oct. 14.
Shah and Ashraf spoke over the phone today, Wednesday, where the former expressed his delight to have the latter in India for the big-ticket clash, the PCB said.
“We both discussed how the forthcoming match is an opportunity to explore ways in which we can further enhance and promote the cricketing relations between our countries,” the PCB quoted Ashraf as saying.
Shah offered to facilitate Ashraf by arranging his meetings with other high-ranking officials during his visit to India, the PCB said, adding that the BCCI secretary extended a “warm welcome” to him.
Ashraf said he found it essential to show the Pakistan cricket team his “unwavering support” during the World Cup.
“The players have put in immense hard work and dedication to reach this point, and I am confident that they will give their best to make us proud,” he said.
Cricket has been a victim of a soured political relationship between the neighbors and bitter rivals, who play each other only in multi-team events like the World Cup.
In recent weeks, the PCB has repeatedly expressed its disappointment over a delay in visa clearance for Pakistani fans and media. On Wednesday, the PCB said Ashraf’s decision to travel to India came after it was confirmed that Pakistani journalists had been asked by Indian authorities to submit their passports for visas to cover the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.
Around 60 Pakistani journalists are expected to make the trip for the World Cup.
Pakistan had plenty of local support for their World Cup fixtures against Netherlands on Friday and Sri Lanka on Tuesday but no member of their media contingent or fans were present.
Pakistan and India are both in good form before the World Cup, with the two sides winning their first two fixtures of the tournament. India beat Australia and Afghanistan while Pakistan vanquished the Netherlands and Sri Lanka during their World Cup encounters.
PCB chief, BCCI secretary discuss enhancing Indo-Pak cricket ties
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PCB chief, BCCI secretary discuss enhancing Indo-Pak cricket ties
- PCB chief Zaka Ashraf speaks to BCCI honorary secretary Jay Shah over the phone
- Ashraf will travel to India on Thursday ahead of Pakistan’s World Cup clash against India
Pakistan to play India in T20 World Cup, government says
- Islamabad announced boycotting the Feb. 15 match in Colombo to protest the ICC’s exclusion of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup
- Pakistan’s government says the decision to play India is taken to protect ‘spirit of cricket and to support the continuity of global sport’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cleared the country’s cricket team to play India in the T20 World Cup on Feb. 15, the Pakistani government announced late Monday, ending a week-long standoff.
Islamabad announced boycotting the Feb. 15 match in Colombo to protest the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) exclusion of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, following Dhaka’s decision to not play matches in India owing to security fears.
On Sunday, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja arrived in Lahore for talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam as the sport’s governing body strived to save the high-stakes T20 World Cup encounter.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met PM Sharif late Monday and briefed him regarding the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, Bangladesh board and ICC representatives, the Pakistani government said on X.
“The Government of Pakistan has reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, as well as the supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations. These correspondences sought Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges,” the Pakistani government said.
“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
The BCB earlier thanked the PCB, ICC and all others for their positive roles in trying to “overcome recent challenges,” particularly thanking PCB Chairman Naqvi and Pakistani cricket fans for demonstrating “exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity.”
“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish,” BCB President Islam said in a statement.
“Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem.”
The dispute stemmed from the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland last month after Bangladesh refused to play tournament matches in India. Dhaka’s decision followed the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was bought for $1 million by the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders, but on Jan. 3 the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ordered Kolkata to release Mustafizur without a public explanation but amid regional tensions.
Pakistani cricket authorities subsequently announced boycotting the match against India at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Feb. 15. An India-Pakistan fixture is the sport’s most lucrative asset, generating a massive share of global broadcasting and sponsorship revenue.
“This decision [to play India in T20 World Cup] has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket, and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations,” the Pakistani government said.
“We remain confident that our team will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride onto the field as they compete for global glory.”
