New Delhi: India should provide proof to the International Cricket Council that its government has refused to give permission to its cricket team to play in the Champions Trophy.
India have so far refused to confirm their presence for the tournament scheduled in February-March and has a history of denying to travel across border for cricket.
Their stance forced last year’s Asia Cup to be played in a hybrid model with a section of matches being played in Sri Lanka as India refused to tour Pakistan citing security reasons.
Pakistan want the impasse over India’s participation to be resolved as soon as possible as the Board of Control for Cricket in India is dragging its feet over it.
“If the India government declines permission, it has to be in writing and it is mandatory on the BCCI to provide that letter to the ICC now,” a Pakistan Cricket Board source working closely with organizing committee was quoted as saying by PTI.
“It is a fact that the we are insistent that the BCCI must inform the ICC about its travel plans to Pakistan at least 5-6 months before the tournament and in writing,” the top PCB source also stated.
Reports suggest India want their matches to be played either in the UAE or in Sri Lanka, The matter might be discussed in ICC’s annual conference in Colombo on July 19 with the global body earmarking additional fund to conduct the tournament in a ‘hybrid model’.
The BCCI has always maintained that it needs permission from the Indian government to send the team to the neighbouring country.
The PCB has kept all India’s matches, including potential semi-final and final, in Lahore with the money-spinner clash against Pakistan on March 1.
The tournament begins in Karachi on February 19 and ends in Lahore on March 9, with a a reserve day for the final on March 10.
India have so far refused to confirm their presence for the Champions Trophy scheduled in February-March in Pakistan Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
