The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has granted visas to three officials of The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), including BCCI President Roger Binni and Vice President Rajiv Shukla, to attend the upcoming Asia Cup.
Sources within the Indian cricket board revealed that a formal request had been submitted for the issuance of visas for seven BCCI officials. Out of these, visas were approved for three top-ranking officials – President of BCCI, Roger Binni, Vice President Rajiv Shukla, and Executive Assistant Muhammad Akram.
The developments also suggest that there is a strong possibility of the Pakistan High Commission extending a visa to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah in the near future.
The announcement has stirred excitement in the cricketing fraternity, especially since both the President and Vice President of BCCI have confirmed their visit to Pakistan. In a joint statement, they expressed their eagerness to witness the Asia Cup matches and participate in various associated events, including a state dinner.
Roger Binni, who is poised to become the first BCCI President to visit Pakistan in nearly two decades, conveyed his enthusiasm about the trip. “Rajiv Shukla and I are set to arrive in Pakistan on September 04. During our stay, we’ll have the privilege of witnessing gripping Asia Cup matches and partaking in diplomatic engagements,” said Binni.
Amid the anticipation, Binni also shared his optimism about the visit’s potential impact on reviving cricketing relations between the two neighboring nations. “Cricket has always held a special place in the hearts of both Indian and Pakistani fans. I am hopeful that this visit will pave the way for stronger bonds between the two cricketing nations,” he remarked.
Emphasizing the significance of India-Pakistan cricketing clashes, Binni drew comparisons with the iconic Ashes series. “The Pak-India matches are monumental events that attract massive crowds and ignite unparalleled enthusiasm. Their magnitude is unparalleled, even surpassing the fervor of the Ashes,” he noted.
The visit is anticipated to not only intensify the sporting ties between India and Pakistan but also foster a more comprehensive diplomatic exchange between the two nations. This development marks a notable chapter in the rich history of cricket diplomacy between the neighboring countries. The last visit by a BCCI President to Pakistan occurred in 2005, when the then-President participated in the Asian Cricket Council camp.
As cricket enthusiasts on both sides of the border eagerly await the arrival of the BCCI officials, all eyes are on the upcoming Asia Cup as a potential turning point in the cricketing relations between India and Pakistan.
