The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla will travel to Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2023. Notably, the initial plan is to attend the match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, slated to take place on September 5 in Lahore. As per reports, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have invited BCCI; hence, the decision has been taken to send Roger Binny and Rajiv Shukla as India’s representatives.
Interestingly, the decision was taken after a year-long drama between the two boards. BCCI secretary Jay Shah previously mentioned that the Men in Blue will not be travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and that created quite a controversy as PCB replied with their intention of not participating in the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. Following which, multiple discussions took place, and finally, the matter was resolved. Pakistan agreed on the hybrid model of the Asia Cup and also confirmed their participation in the World Cup.
Meanwhile, this will be the first time since 2012 that the BCCI officials will travel to Pakistan. A source close to Sportstar has confirmed the development, mentioning that the duo will first travel to Sri Lanka to watch the Indian team play and will then enter Pakistan territory on September 3.
“They (Binny and Shukla) will first travel to Sri Lanka to watch the Indian team in action and will then head to Pakistan, crossing the Attari border on September 3,” the source mentioned.
“The PCB had invited BCCI and as one of the key members of Asian Cricket Council and after consulting with the stakeholders, the board decided that the president and the vice-president will be travelling to the neighbouring nation,” the source added.
Notably, the neighbouring countries will take on each other on September 2 in Sri Lanka. Ahead of that, Pakistan are playing against Afghanistan and have already won the three-match ODI series, while Indian players are currently training in Alur, Karnataka.
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