Waiting for govt nod for Pakistan ties: BCCI

E-Paper | May 07, 2026

NEW DELHI: The BCCI on Thursday said it had reminded the government a fortnight ago about the contentious issue of resuming bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan.

The Indian Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board are scheduled to meet in Dubai later this month to resolve the prevailing bilateral issues.

Like many other board officials in the past, BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary too made it clear that the decision to play Pakistan in a bilateral series rests solely with the government.

“There is nothing new in the situation. We had written to the government seeking their permission to play Pakistan three months ago. We issued them a reminder 15 days ago. We are yet to get a reply. Only the government can decide whether we can play Pakistan or not,” Choudhary said.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2017

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Kumar

May 26, 2017 09:48am

Forget about it ,With due respectab though.

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Srini

May 26, 2017 09:50am

" Only the government can decide whether we can play Pakistan or not ". Simple and straight forward. India has one Govt, no multiple power stations.:)

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tomUHTO TAWMAYTO

May 26, 2017 10:06am

Case closed till further notice. Now go home, PCB....

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makkeshwar adinath

May 26, 2017 10:31am

The money they are unhappy with icc ruling is suppose to cover their tombs with GOLD that is reason BCCI does not want pawarian political licks and leeches to invade cricketing body !!

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RAHAT

May 26, 2017 10:39am

Nothing has changed which may allow Indian government to resume play with Pakistan. We all know this. I think there should not be any meetings as it is just a waste of money. These officials go on India tour, spend time in 5 star hotels, go around, and travel in business class for a result of nothing.

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azadi dil KI

May 26, 2017 10:45am

It's not the BCCI, but Indian government is providing security to the Player & Venues. So government permission is a must for any cricket playing nation either its India or any other country including Pakistan.

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anuj

May 26, 2017 10:50am

Totally different news here may be for the home consumption. BCCI has categorically said that our response regarding the series is the same as that of govt.

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Khem

May 26, 2017 11:02am

Yeah, I know this was on cards, BCCI first discussed with PCB, later cited the problem that government not allowing. Good going BCCI, this is what happens when politicians enters into sports bodies.

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PAMNANI - INDIA

May 26, 2017 11:16am

No politics should be played by BCCI. BCCI should straightyaway decline to PCB for any cricket ties between the two countries in the best interest of our Nation.

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YAaLLAH!

May 26, 2017 11:24am

So much obsession for playing with India. Keep away! We dont want any relations with you. Both will be happy.

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vishal

May 26, 2017 11:37am

There is no need for the series between the two countries keeping in view of the prevailing circumstances.

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M.Saeed

May 26, 2017 12:30pm

@tomUHTO TAWMAYTO: Let the BCCI say so and pay penalties for the breach of agreement, not you.

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Rags

May 26, 2017 12:37pm

I don't know the reason behind BCCI and PCB meeting, knowing very well that bi-lateral cricket ties wont resume between these two countries. These meetings and articles are just to keep readers interested. They can spend the time productively in organizing some other series.

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Shivam

May 26, 2017 12:41pm

Democracy work this way

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Rajiv Uppal

May 26, 2017 01:13pm

BCCI & PCB will play again... as the situation is developing (maybe at a 3rd venue), but only after 10th July. Election of India President would happen at that time and many parties would back BJP candidate (playing before the election can change poll equations).

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a blot on escutcheon

May 26, 2017 01:19pm

How can BCCI expect a positive nod from an extremist government that has created war hysteria in the country and has taken war fever to the level where it has no choice but to fight a small scale skirmish with Pakistan?

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Katy

May 26, 2017 02:03pm

@tomUHTO TAWMAYTO ... gentleman, you are too quick in responding - the case is about the asking for past damages of the monetary losses. As I see for a long time, Indian commentators are not only hostile but also being disrespectful when dealing and commenting on affairs or events with the neighbouring country Pakistan. I tag this attitude offensive and the conversations- hate speech, less in sense and maturity and moreover - decency. This is my opinion as an independent observer with a provison to diagree with.

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irfan uk

May 26, 2017 02:17pm

Why are they meeting anyway? They don't want to play with us and we don't give a damn so NO MEETING

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Sid

May 26, 2017 02:19pm

I don't think Indian Govt, will approve. MoU is not a binding contract so no compensation for Pakistan either.

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M.Saeed

May 26, 2017 03:01pm

If an agreement was there, it should follow the covenants for violation of the agreed arrangements.

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M.Saeed

May 26, 2017 03:06pm

@tomUHTO TAWMAYTO: Good suggestion. But, pay the breach of agreement losses first.

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M.Saeed

May 26, 2017 03:38pm

@Sid: There is something called credibility of even spoken words.

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everyonewantspeach

May 26, 2017 03:52pm

Let's first improve the relationship and become friends. Once we do that we can play cricket. As a first step let there be no firing across LOC.

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steevan

May 26, 2017 03:55pm

@irfan uk but its PCB officially who travel to dubai and india for meeting BCCI officials. So you should ask questions to PCB, never heard BCCI going to pakistan for any meeting.

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steevan

May 26, 2017 03:58pm

@M.Saeed MoU is not agreement dude, so to honoring it or not is our wish

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Amir

May 26, 2017 04:05pm

@M.Saeed First learn what is MOU.

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Saif zulfiqar

May 26, 2017 04:10pm

There are many other countries to play cricket with

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RAYwhite

May 26, 2017 04:15pm

Just play CT2017 with India for now. Win or Lose, be happy & forget about bilateral matches.

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Khurram

May 26, 2017 04:39pm

If india don't play they owe us money as per earlier contracts

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

May 26, 2017 05:03pm

What a silly joke by the "movers and shakers" of the biggest democracy in the world who have a penchant since time immemorial to always mix politics with anything and everything possible?

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Panda

May 26, 2017 05:09pm

I think BCCI is trying to play with PCB. Its sad that sports and politics getting mixed together.

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steevan

May 26, 2017 05:36pm

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad but why are you so keen in playing with "Movers and Shaker"? and to play with you or not is our wish. BCCI has clearly said there stance. So I think PCB should move on

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isha

May 26, 2017 07:03pm

how about PCB not meet BCCI till BCCI gets green light for cricket. PCB should seriously spend more time improving local structure and negotiate series with other countries and stop expecting BCCI to agree to a series by a miracle

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gullu Badsha

May 26, 2017 08:47pm

We are not going to play cricket with India unless it stops terrorism in our country.

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ukz

May 27, 2017 03:58am

BCCI ! your stubborn govt will cost u $64 million in damages. Keep waiting for govt's reply and get the cheque ready.

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Sahil

May 27, 2017 04:30am

They don't wanna do anything with us. Why do we even bother. Play with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

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miawmiya

May 27, 2017 06:25am

@YAaLLAH! Absolutely Right!

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SHAH

May 27, 2017 10:34am

do we need to play with india?

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pitbull

May 27, 2017 11:28am

Its PCB which needs more support from BCCI, not the other way. Any one in Pakistan can compare the revenue generated by the WI Vs PK and IND Vs Pk get the facts. So there is nothing odd in PCB pursuing BCCI for Indo-pak series. BCCI too wants to milk more so nudging the govt. now n then. But thankfully our Indian govt's policy is very clear that there will not be any' bilateral engagement' with Pakistan till the borders are hot. Hope that makes the matter clear.

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Zak

May 27, 2017 11:36am

Hope the government never gives it. We don't need it.

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Zak

May 27, 2017 11:37am

@Srini so do we. Educate yourself.

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rana

May 27, 2017 12:12pm

mr. modi plz forgive cricket and keep it away from politics. we people of pakistan wants to see kohli in action against pakistan. we have not seen the proud sons of subcontinent together in action since a long. promoting cricket is the dream of ever cricket lover and member countries. i want to point out to mr. modi that enemity only bring destruction, nothing else. stop promoting hatred against pakistan, it will bring out nothing good.

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