Roger Binny
A delegation of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will visit Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2023 for the first time since bilateral cricketing relations between India and Pakistan were suspended in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. After receiving the required approvals, Rajeev Shukla, the vice president of the Indian board, and BCCI president Roger Binny accepted the invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), according to the news agency PTI. The BCCI’s senior administrators will arrive in Lahore on September 4 and remain there through September 7 in order to see a few Asia Cup games.
The last time the BCCI president visited Pakistan was in 2008
Before the Mumbai terrorist attacks, the last BCCI representative went to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008. Given that the relationship between BCCI and PCB hasn’t exactly been stellar in recent years, this is a significant development. Notably, the BCCI maintained its position that the Indian squad would not be sent to Pakistan to compete in this year’s Asia Cup despite repeated appeals and even a World Cup pull-out threat from the PCB.
Hybrid matches in the Asia Cup 2023
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members finally decided on a hybrid arrangement after much consideration, under which India will play all of their matches (including those against Pakistan) in Sri Lanka.
On August 30 in Multan, Pakistan will play Nepal in the opening match of the regional competition. Four games will then proceed to Sri Lanka for the remaining matches, which will include the eagerly anticipated contest between Pakistan and India.
IND vs. PAK on September 2
“Binny, Shukla, and secretary Jay Shah will be in Sri Lanka on September 2 for the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match in Pallekele (Kandy). On September 3, the trio will return to India, after which the BCCI president and vice president will travel over the border to Lahore, a source familiar with the situation informed PTI under the condition of anonymity.
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In fact, the PCB has invited both Binny and Shukla, together with their respective spouses, to a formal dinner on September 4 at the Governor’s House in Lahore.
According to reports, two influential members of the BCCI will observe Pakistan’s first Super Four match on September 6 as well as the September 5 match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
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