BCCI could face legal action if India does not play Pakistan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could face legal action if they do not go ahead with the proposed series between India and Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has mooted the idea of the bilateral series taking place in Sri Lanka, after BCCI showed apprehension about playing in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan’s adopted cricket home.

However, the tour, which was as per plan, was set to be played in mid-December hasn’t got BCCI’s or the Indian government’s approval as yet.

The Indian cricket board had committed to play two Tests, five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and two T20Is against the neighbours in UAE or in a mutually-agreed venue in December 2015.

Sanjay Patel, the then BCCI secretary had written a letter stating, “Further to our meetings and discussions over the past few weeks regarding the bi-lateral tours between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hereby agree that the senior men’s cricket teams of India and Pakistan will play each other as per the schedule…,” to Najam Sethi, the then chairman of PCB.

They had also said, “all efforts to engage in a limited-overs format short tour to Pakistan in November 2014 based on the availability of possible dates.”

The commitment was given to Pakistan in order to secure their vote in N Srinivasan’s chairmanship bid in the International Cricket Council (ICC).

This has now put the BCCI and the Indian government in a dilemma. As reported by PTI, Anurag Thakur has written a letter to S Jaishankar, the foreign secretary. Sushma Swaraj, the external affairs minister is likely to travel to Pakistan and is expected to help improve bilateral ties. – Cricbuzz