New Delhi: As the countdown begins for the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi has made his stance clear—there will be no more “begging” the BCCI for bilateral cricket.
Over the years, the PCB has repeatedly approached India to revive bilateral ties, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly declined. Despite India-Pakistan matches being the most commercially successful in cricket, the two nations now only meet in multi-nation tournaments.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi stressed that all future negotiations will be held on equal terms.
“We are very clear—whenever talks are held, it will be on an equal footing with India. There will be no more begging for negotiations. That time has passed. Whatever happens now will be based on equality,” Naqvi asserted.
The issue of hosting rights has also been contentious. Though India holds the rights for this year’s Asia Cup, the tournament has been shifted to the UAE as India refused to travel to Pakistan, similar to its stand earlier this year over the ICC Champions Trophy.
The Indian government has also reiterated that bilateral cricket with Pakistan is off the table for the foreseeable future, though both nations will continue facing each other in ICC and ACC tournaments.
India and Pakistan are set to lock horns on September 14 in the group stage of the Asia Cup, with a possibility of meeting again in the knockout rounds.
