In the last couple of months, the passion for cricket has reached new heights in Pakistan and to further the excitement, India’s political establishment has now shown positive signs with regards to resuming bilateral series with Pakistan.
The tension between neighboring countries hit a stalemate when Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent a legal notice to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not complying with the agreed schedule.
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However, things seem to be moving in a positive direction after Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, while attending an event in Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that citizens of both countries are eager for the resumption of bilateral cricket.
People from both countries want bilateral cricket to revive. People want to see India versus Pakistan, and I am hopeful of a contest on the cricket pitch as soon as tensions ease.
The political tension is perhaps one of the main reasons why bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has dried up. Although Pakistani board has insisted on playing on several occasions, BCCI has cited supposed lack of approval from their government as a reason to not fulfill their end of the bargain.
Earlier this year, PCB chairman, Najam Sethi was quoted saying:
We are ready to sit on table with India and resume bilateral cricketing ties with arch-rivals. If they are willing to resume cricketing ties, which are in the best interest of cricket and can bridge gap as people want to watch Pakistan-India in action again, it would be good for cricket and if they don’t then we are ready for the next step.
With the return of cricket, Pakistan board can breathe a sigh of relief, since security was another reason why BCCI was not keen on flying its team cross-border. Although these are indeed positive signs, it is worth mentioning that BCCI officials questioned the legality of the bilateral document after signing it, which sparked the outrage.
So it remains to be seen whether BCCI and Indian government will come through this time or not.
