By: Tarish Bhatt
Amidst political tension between India and Pakistan, the proposed cricket series between the two countries is unlikely to happen in December, but Pakistan is still hopeful of a bilateral series.
There has been escalation in diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan owing to terror attacks and constant ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
A senior official of the Pakistan Cricket Board, however, said they are hopeful of having a series with India, and despite political tension the archrivals might cross paths in December.
“I am not bothered by political statements coming from India or the fuss in the media around the series,” Najam Sethi said. “I see it happening because they are highs and lows in Indo-Pak relations all the time and the situation is still not that serious to say there will be no cricket series in December.”
“I think the situation will be much clearer in September when the prime ministers of both countries and the other officials of the foreign ministries are likely to meet on the sidelines on the UN session in New York,” he added.
Earlier, BCCI secretory and also the Member of Parliament, Anurag Thakur made it clear that cricket and terror cannot go hand in hand, and nation’s interest is the top-priority.
“I understand that playing sport is a different thing, but our internal security is important,” Anurag Thakur said. “If you talk about cricket with Pakistan, we must understand that life of every Indian is very important to us.”
“As I see my responsibility as BCCI secretary, as a Parliamentarian, life of every Indian is very important to me,” he added. “It’s not only about cricket, it’s about my country.”
