'Can you guarantee no terror attack?' BCCI's savage response to PCB after visa demands

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given a savage reply to the Wasim Khan, the Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Earlier, PCB had asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to give a written assurance from BCCI that they won’t be facing any visa-related problems during their travel to India for the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 50-overs World Cup.

Reacting to this, the governing body of cricket in India asked if PCB can assurance in writing that the 'Pakistan government would ensure that no illegal incursions into India takes place'.

"Can the PCB give an assurance in writing that the Pakistan government would ensure that no illegal incursions into India takes place from the Pakistani side or that there’s no violation of the cease-fire or that no act of terror takes place on Indian soil originating in Pakistan or that no repeat of Pulwama type incident takes place?" a BCCI official was quoted as saying by multiple outlets.

"The ICC mandates that there should be no interference of governments in the administration of the game and the corollary would be that a sports board doesn’t attempt to interfere with how a government functions."

"It’s time the PCB realises that and stops acting like an agent for an individual in the ICC who is known to work against the interest of India. All I would say is that India is a wonderful country and acts in the most balanced way," the official further added.

As for the Pakistan squad, they would go to India for the ICC events after it got complete assurance about their security and safety.

Khan pointed out that in recent times that many Pakistan sports squads were not given clearance by the Indian government to play in India.

"That is why we have asked for the advance assurances. But eventually, it is an ICC event and it is their responsibility to ensure we as a full member and signatory of the participants agreement go and play in these ICC events." 

Khan also said that due to the existing strained relations between the two countires, there were virtually no chances of bilateral cricket resuming soon.