The Sports Tak on August 25 (Friday) reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla will travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup at the behest of the country's cricket board's (PCB) invitation. The development is indeed ground-breaking, especially during the current times when both the countries' national cricket teams refrain from playing any bilateral series.
The more pertinent question now is what is on the agenda for the visit of Binny and Shukla. Is there a hope of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan resuming in the near future?
Well, according to sources, the main reason behind the BCCI delegation traveling to Pakistan is to send a message that cricket united people and that the Indian cricket board is not boycotting the PCB.
There will be discussions around the ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India later in the year. General talks on cricket in India and Pakistan are also likely to be held.
When it comes to bilateral series between India and Pakistan, the BCCI delegation will refrain from indulging in talks related to the subject as the Indian cricket board has been clear about needing a government clearance.
The BCCI delegation will not travel to Pakistan at the start of the Asia Cup. Binny and Shukla are scheduled to visit the neighbouring country after the game between India and Pakistan, which is scheduled to be held on September 2 in Pallekele, Sri Lanka.
Binny and Shukla will travel to Pakistan on September 4 through the Wagah border.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Asia Cup will commence on August 30 with Pakistan crossing swords against minnows Nepal.
Asia Cup 2023: Complete schedule
Aug 30 Pak vs Nep - Multan, Pakistan
Aug 31 Ban vs SL - Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sept 2 Ind vs Pak - Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sept 3 Ban vs AFG - Lahore, Pakistan
Sept 4 Ind vs Nep - Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sept 5 SL vs AFG - Lahore, Pakistan
SUPER 4s
Sept 6 A1 Vs B2 - Lahore, Pakistan
Sept 9 B1 vs B2 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 10 A1 vs A2 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 12 A2 vs B1 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 14 A1 vs B1 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 15 A2 vs B2 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 17 Final - Colombo, Sri Lanka
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Asia Cup 2023: KL Rahul set to miss Pakistan fixture; bats one hour in nets but wicket-keeping remains a massive challenge
BCCI President, Vice-President to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup upon PCB invitation
