Asia Cup 2023: On Saturday, BCCI President Roger Binny confirmed his plans to visit Pakistan next month during the Asia Cup, as he received an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board. Earlier this month, Muhammad Zaka Ashraf, the Chairman of PCB’s Management Committee, extended an official invitation to the Chief of the Indian cricket board and his spouse to attend the Asia Cup matches in Pakistan. The invitation also included attendance at the PCB dinner scheduled in Lahore on September 4th. Vice President Rajiv Shukla will also be visiting Pakistan along with Roger Binny.
What did Roger Binny say on his visit for Asia Cup 2023?
Speaking to the media, Roger Binny said, “BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla and I will travel to Pakistan through the Wagah Border on September 4. Apart from the official dinner, we will also witness a couple of matches.” Their visit is scheduled to conclude on September 7th when they will return to India.
This marks a significant moment as it’s the first visit of a BCCI president to Pakistan since the bilateral cricket ties between the two countries were suspended after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. This development coincides with Pakistan’s decision to send their team to India for the ICC ODI World Cup set to commence next month.
Before his Pakistan tour, Binny is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for India’s opening match against Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2. Upon being asked about the invitation, Binny promptly confirmed his acceptance without any hesitation. Roger Binny further said, “Because my previous travels to Pakistan have been very pleasant. They are very hospitable. I remember the stores we went to in the 1980s, the shop owners were excited to host Indians. We were offered tea at every store we visited.”
After India declined to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka stepped in as co-hosts, with only four out of the 13 matches originally scheduled in Pakistan. Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are set to play one match each, with the fourth match being a Super Four tie.
Roger Binny’s previous visit to Pakistan
Binny’s previous visit to Pakistan was in 2005 when he participated in a pace camp organized by the Asian Cricket Council. During his playing career, Binny was a member of the team captained by Mohinder Amarnath, which toured Pakistan in 1984. Unfortunately, the series had to be called off after the second ODI in Sialkot on October 31, due to the tragic assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
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