ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) on Wednesday said the decision to participate in the maiden Asia Cricket Cup in India next year will only be taken after consent from the government.

The Asia Cup of the Blind is scheduled to be held in Kochi from Jan 17 to 24.

PBCC chairman Syed Sultan Shah said the Cricket Association of the Blind in India (CABI) has requested the PBCC to reconsider the decision to not participate in the Asia Cup.

It is pertinent to mention that last week PBCC pulled out of the national blind cricket team from the Asia Cup due to security concerns for the Pakistani nationals in India after the Shiv Sena’s attack on Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) offices, causing cancellation of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan’s meeting.

Sultan said Mahantesh GK, the CABI general secretary in a letter to the PBCC had said Pakistan’s withdrawal from Asia Cup is shocking and sad.

“Asia Cup will take place in Kochi which is one of the safest cities in India,” Mahantesh wrote adding India had earlier hosted Pakistan for a Cricket series in March 2012 and first Twenty20 World Cup in Bangalore in December the same year.

Mahantesh wrote Indian blind cricket team has always responded to Pakistan’s invitation positively amidst all uncertainties.

“The Indian team toured Pakistan in November 2011 and then in February 2014 overlooking the security concerns in Pakistan,” he expressed.

Sultan said at this moment we cannot take the decision of participation in the Asia Cup on our own.

“We will consult the Pakistani government first and then if they permit us to participate the event then we will take the decision,” he said.

He said the India team will also tour Pakistan in 2017 and for that they have taken permission from their government. “We will also consult the government of whether they allow us to hold a series with India here in 2017 or not,” he said.

Published in Dawn October 29th, 2015

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