BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla on Wednesday once again confirmed that the restart of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan solely depends on the clearance of the Indian government.
Talking in Lahore, where he had been invited by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to attend the Champions Trophy semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa, Shukla also shot down the suggestion that the Indian team needs supportive pitch conditions for triumph.
"As much as you are inquiring about (cricket) between the two nations, it is very clear and categorical that it is the decision of the (Indian) government. Whatever India's government speaks, we will go according to them," Shukla said in a message addressed to Pakistani media.
He also credited Pakistan for bringing back an international tournament after a long gap. "Pakistan is bringing an international tournament after a long time and it is good. They have organised it properly," he added.
While showing appreciation for the fan fervour from both the countries for bilateral cricket to come back, Shukla continued that playing in a neutral stadium was not a priority.
It is correct that the fans from both nations would like the teams to play, but the policy of BCCI has been, and PCB would also have such a policy, that bilateral matches must be played on each other's ground and not at a third (or) neutral location," he clarified.
He again laid stress on government approval in this regard. "This has been BCCI's consistent policy. There is also a provision in the ICC which is about the government's consent. It is a big provision, so it happens according to the point of view of government's consent. Every other country would offer to host India-Pakistan, who would not?"
Shukla made it clear that though the BCCI places its position before the government, the ultimate call is up to the authorities. "We (BCCI) put our point before the government, but they make a decision after their discussion. When the government makes a decision, it is after thinking a lot of things. It is their internal issue," he explained.
Responding to criticism that the Indian team was at an advantage playing all their games at one location in the Champions Trophy, Shukla denied such a thing.
"When the decision was made at the ICC level, it was agreed that India-centric matches will be held in Dubai and the remaining matches will be held in Pakistan, so it is not a matter of fair or unfair," he clarified.
He also rejected the claims that India's performance was pitch-dependent. "The Indian team doesn't rely on pitches, even there (in Dubai) there are various types of pitches. The team performs on its performance, the players perform on their strengths and don't rely on pitches," he further added.
In a lighter moment, when asked whether it would have been preferable for the final to be played in Lahore, Shukla retorted, "For that, Australia should have won yesterday (Tuesday). But since they lost, the final would have to be played in Dubai."
On the Asia Cup schedule, he said, "You know it is status quo, so it will happen accordingly. I had come here for the Asia Cup as well. Roger Binny was also there, and Jay Shah has also been cooperating completely."
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