Former BCCI president and Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly on Saturday said India should sever all cricket ties with Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent civilians.
Speaking to news agency ANI in Kolkata, Ganguly said, “100 per cent, this (breaking ties with Pakistan) should be done. Strict action is necessary. It is no joke that such things happen every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated.”
The strained relations between two neighbours have led them to not play a bilateral series since 2012-23. India had last toured Pakistan during the Asia Cup of 2008 and in the recent times have refused to travel to the neighbouring country for the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup
Before this year’s Champions Trophy, the ICC under Jay Shah had decided on a formula whereby both teams would play their matches in international tournaments at neutral venues. Under this arrangement, India had played all their matches in Dubai even though the tournament was hosted by Pakistan.
BCCI Vice President on ties with Pakistan:
Speaking after the Pahalgam attack, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said, “Whatever our government will say we will do. We don’t play with Pakistan in bilateral series because of the government stand. And we will not play with Pakistan in bilaterals going forward. But when it comes to ICC events, we play due to ICC engagement. ICC is also aware whatever is happening they will look into it”.
There is no ICC men’s event this year and a women’s ODI World Cup is scheduled for September-October this year. The tournament will be hosted by India but Pakistan’s matches will be played at a neutral venue.
Even before the women’s World Cup, the men’s Asia Cup will be held in September, which will also be hosted by the BCCI but the tournament will be played entirely in a neutral country.
The Asian Cricket Council has already sold the media rights for four upcoming editions for $170 million. According to a Cricbuzz report, there is an unofficial agreement with the broadcasters that each edition of the Asia Cup will feature at least two India-Pakistan matches, with the possibility of a third if the teams meet in the final.
