When government has given permission to 471-member contingent for the SAG games in India, I don't see any reason why 25-member cricket contingent can't go to the same country for a cricket tourney, said the official.
Whenever a Pakistani team comes to India, there is public posturing on both sides regarding security threat. With the ICC World T20 less than a month away, Pakistan Cricket Board's apparent suggestion that "it may not be able to send team to T20 tourney if government refuses permission on security grounds" is seen as nothing but last-minute tactics to get assurance over bilateral series resumption in 2017.
After reports suggest that PCB president Shahryar Khan had spoken about government permission during the recent International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in Dubai, a senior Pakistan board official has cited South Asian Games as an example to nullify all such talks of boycotting World T20.
"When government has given permission to 471-member contingent for the SAG games in India, I don't see any reason why 25-member cricket contingent can't go to the same country for a cricket tourney," said the official.
Pakistan are the fourth largest contingent in SAG currently under way in the Guwahati and Shillong. Also, no Pakistan cricket match is being scheduled at cities like Mumbai, where local political parties like Shiv Sena have been threatening to disrupt the matches.
However, the PCB official did talk about reasons why such public posturing was necessary, given the backtracking by BCCI on playing bilateral series at neutral venues.
"Whosoever be the president (read N Srinivasan) of BCCI when this MoU was signed between the two boards. We're expecting Indian government or board to honour that commitment. PCB desperately need India's help in order to come out of red," the official said citing poor financial situation of Pakistan Cricket Board.
When reminded that BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has already ruled out playing Pakistan at any neutral venue due to already-packed international schedule, the PCB official agreed before saying that "it could well be possible in 2017".
"Both cricket boards can look at a possibility of playing in 2017. Though, it was BCCI's commitment to first tour Pakistan but even then 'a new formula could be devised to revive the bilateral series'," said the PCB official.
Thakur assures full security
Meanwhile, the BCCI secretary Thakur has insisted that India would organise the event in the best possible manner and provide adequate security to all the teams including Pakistan.
"If we talk about the T20 World Cup, all international teams will come to India to play. Pakistan are one of the 16 teams participating in the event. The Indian government will provide security to all teams in all the places where the matches will be held. I think the teams, which have qualified for the World Cup, should come and participate in the tournament," Thakur said on Wednesday.
Thakur reiterated that BCCI had successfully organised many major tournaments in the past and now it's entirely up to Pakistan to take a call regarding playing in India.
"They must have their own reasons. Now, it's up to them to decide whether they want to play. India is ready for the World T20 and the BCCI will organise the event well and will provide security to everyone," added Thakur.
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