India needs to chill situation

Published April 1, 2002

NEW DELHI, March 31: The Board of Control for Cricket in Indian (BCCI) feels that the current deadlock in the cricketing ties with Pakistan has to be resolved from the Indian side and nothing can be achieved by holding talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials on the issue.

“The PCB has made it clear time and again that it is ready to play against India anytime and at any venue. Nothing can be achieved by just holding talks with it (PCB),” a top BCCI official said on condition of anonymity.

The official was reacting to reports on Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi holding talks with the Pakistani officials and expressing hope about the resumption of cricketing ties very soon.

“The problem lies on our side as it is our government which has denied permission to the Indian team to play cricket matches with the Pakistani side,” the board official said.

Only a fortnight ago, BCCI president Jaghmohan Dalmiya met PCB chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia in Cape Town during ICC’s executive board meeting where he said: “The point is, there is nothing to be discussed with PCB because it is always ready to play against India.”

“Any breakthrough can be achieved only after the Indian government considers changing its stand on the issue,” the official said while reminding that even BCCI is ready to play against Pakistan.—APP

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

WHILE launching the Economic Survey 2026, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told a hopeful story of economic...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...