BCCI’s Verdict On IND-PAK Asia Cup Game Is A Bittersweet Pill To Swallow: ‘Countries Which Are Not Friendly…’ | Cricket

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India-Pakistan fans waving flags (AP)

BCCI secretary Devajit Saika has confirmed that the government has not restricted India from playing countries that aren’t on friendly terms with India in multinational events. The remarks come amidst outrage over India playing Pakistan during the Asia Cup. Notably, India-Pakistan ties are at an all-time low following the Pahalgam attack, and there are calls to boycott Pakistan at global events. India and Pakistan are set to lock horns on September 14 in Dubai.

The central government earlier this month confirmed that Indian athletes can play against Pakistan in multinational events, but there will be no bilateral sporting ties between the two countries. Saika said that the board will follow the guidelines of the government and play Pakistan in the Asia Cup. The statement is seen as the board’s final verdict on the controversy, leaving the fans with a bittersweet feeling.

“So far as the BCCI’s view is concerned, we have to follow whatever the central government formalises. Recently, our policy, which is in place, regarding India’s participation in any multinational tournament or international tournament, there is no restrictions imposed by the central government whether we play any of the countries which are not on good terms with India. So India have to play all the matches in any multinational tournament,” Saikia told exclusively to ANI.

“As the ICC Cup is a multinational tournament involving the countries of the Asia continent, so we have to play. And also, for any ICC tournament, when there is a country which is not on friendly terms with India, we have to play in the international tournaments. So far as bilateral is concerned, we are not going to play with any of our hostile countries,” he added.

‘India Could Face Sanctions If They Boycott Pakistan’

Saikia further highlighted the sanctions India can face if they boycott Pakistan in global events. “So we are following the policy framed by the government of India, the Youth and Sports Development Department. So, the policy we are following we are totally in alignment with the policy framed by the central government. And for that, BCCI will have to do it. And we are very happy to follow the policy. And that policy is very nicely done, taking into consideration not only cricket, but also other games,” he said.

“If you think that if India boycotts any of the multinational tournaments hosted by the Asian Cricket Council or the ICC, or if you take any other sports, suppose a FIFA tournament or an AFC tournament or any other, suppose, athletic tournament involving multinational teams, and India is not playing with a particular country, then there may be sanctions against the Indian Federation,” Saikia added.


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