India’s Pakistan cricket tour called off

[Rameshjeee]

India’s Pakistan cricket tour called off

In a major jolt to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it is confirmed on Thursday that team India would not tour Pakistan next year in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks. Sports Minister MS Gill made the announcement in the parliament that the tour had been called off.

A letter by the Foreign Ministry was given to the BCCI regarding the same. BCCI secretary Rajiv Shukla confirmed the news to reporters and said that the tour had to be cancelled after the government had instructed them to not go there due to the recent situation that is seen as non-conducive for cricket.

Ratnakar Shetty, Chief Administrative Officer of the board said that BCCI had no role in the tour and no decision about playing on a neutral venue was supposed to be taken. He added that PCB was aware of the situation after the recent attacks in Mumbai.

ICC chief Haroon Lorgat told reporters that there was little that ICC and BCCI could do about it, they needed to follow the government’s decision.

Rajiv Shukla said that Pranab Mukherjee, India’s Foreign Minister, had personally told him in the morning about the government’s stand and added that the BCCI would follow the guidelines.

Meanwhile, PCB chief Ejaz Butt told reporters that the BCCI had not conveyed anything to them about the cancellation of the tour.

The cricket tour to Pakistan had been scheduled from Jan 13- Feb 19 and comprised of 3 Tests, one T20 and 5 ODI matches.

As India canceled their tour starting next month,the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will lose potential earnings of around USD 20 million.

Pakistan have not played a single test this year and has been restricted to just 21 one-day internationals, mostly against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe as top teams have refused tour because of security concerns.

[just4kix]

I do not hate people of Pakistan but the government and army is directly and indirectly and covertly helping/supporting/training/funding the fidayeen.

The army of Pakistan has yet digested the humiliation of 1971. They wish to inflict similar slap on India.

I am sorry the sports is the loser here but given the recent happenings in Mumbai and also elsewhere I support the ban.