Roger Binny and Rajeev Shukla were moved by Pakistan’s hospitality – Dainik Savera Times

Amritsar: The Cricket Board of India (BCCI) President Roger Binny is humbled by the hospitality of Pakistan during his visit, while the Board’s vice-president Rajeev Shukla believes that cricket can act as a bridge to improve relations between the two countries. Binny and Shukla had gone there to watch the Asia Cup matches at the invitation of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Both the BCCI officials returned home from Attari Wagah border on Wednesday. This was the first time in the last 17 years that BCCI officials visited Pakistan. He reached Pakistan on Monday.

On returning home, Binny told PTI, ‘We had a very good meeting with the officials there in Pakistan. We were well taken care of there. He took good care of us. Our main agenda was to watch cricket matches and interact with them. Overall it was a wonderful tour.” Due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, bilateral series do not take place and the two countries only face each other in ICC or Asian Cricket Council events.

Asked about the possibility of bilateral series between India and Pakistan starting, Binny said they are yet to decide on it. He said that ‘BCCI cannot decide on this. This is a matter related to the government and they have to decide on it. Hopefully this will happen because ODI World Cup is going to happen and Pakistan team will play matches in India. Shukla also praised the hospitality of Pakistan Cricket Board and said that cricket can play an important role in improving the relations between the two countries.

He said, ‘Our meeting was very good. The Pakistan Cricket Board took good care of us. The security was very tight and all the arrangements were splendid. It was a goodwill tour for cricket which went great. Shukla said that cricket was an important medium earlier also. For example, take the 2004 tour when a very good atmosphere was created.