Roger Binny and Rajeev Shukla came on a short visit to Pakistan on PCB's invitation to watch Asia Cup matches on Monday
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited BCCI's officials to watch 2023's Asia Cup matches in the host country. Accepting the invitation BCCI President Roger Binny and Board Vice President Rajeev Shukla came on a short visit to the neighbouring country on Monday.
After returning back to India on Wednesday, while talking to PTI, both the officials lavished praise on Pakistan's hospitality and emphasized that cricket could possibly fill the gap between the two countries.
“We had a very good meeting in Pakistan. We received very good hospitality. They took care of us very well. The main agenda was to watch cricket and to sit and discuss things with them. Overall, it was a very good trip. Pakistan treated us very well, they went out of the way to make us comfortable," Binny said.
When asked about the chances of resuming bilateral cricket between both the countries, Binny stated that he has no authority in taking the final call over this matter
“BCCI can’t say. It is a government issue, and they will have to take a call. We need to wait and see. And hopefully, it will happen because the (ODI) World Cup is coming up, Pakistan team will be in India to play," he further added.
Shukla also appreciated PCB for its hospitality and expressed contentment over the friendly behaviour.
“The meeting was very good. The Pakistan Cricket Board took very good care of us. The security was tremendous, all the arrangements were fabulous. It was a goodwill visit for cricket which went well," Shukla said.
“The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mr Jay Shah is also BCCI secretary, so keeping in mind that, we had this visit. BCCI enjoys a good relationship will all the ACC members, that’s why we also visited Sri Lanka.” he further added.
In conclusion, Shukla stated that cricket is potentially a great medium cricket to restore peace between the two neighbouring countries.
“Cricket has always been an important medium even before. Take the 2004 tour, for example; the atmosphere that was created resulted in a great friendship and trade delegations. The shopkeepers were not even taking money from people, that was a great atmosphere," Shukla concluded.