Rajeev Shukla clears air on restarting Ind-Pak cricket during Lahore visit

BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla on Wednesday said it is very categorical and clear that resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan is subjected to Indian governments clearanceThe senior BCCI official who is here on the invitation of the Pakistan Cricket Board to watch the Champions Trophy semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa also said India team doesnt depend on favourable pitches to excelAs far as you are asking about cricket between the two countries it is very categorical and clear that it is the Indian governments decision Whatever the government of India says we will go as per them Shukla told the Pakistan media on WednesdayPakistan is hosting an international tournament after a long time and it is a good thing They have organised it well he addedWhile Shukla agreed the fans from both countries want bilateral ties to be resumed he did not sound positive on the idea of playing at a neutral venueIt is true that fans from both the countries want the teams to play but the BCCI policy has been and PCB would too have such a policy that bilateral matches should be held on each others soil and not at a third or neutral venue he saidThis has been BCCIs consistent policy There is also a provision in the ICC which is about the governments consent It is a big provision so it happens according to the point of view of governments consentEvery other country would offer to host IndiaPakistan who would not the veteran administrator addedWe BCCI keep our point in front of the government but they decide after their deliberations When the government takes a decision it is after considering a lot of aspects It is their internal matter he continuedShukla refuted the argument that Indian team which has qualified for the Champions Trophy final has enjoyed the benefit of playing at only one venue in this eightteam tournamentWhen this decision was taken at the ICC level it was decided that Indiacentric matches will be in Dubai and the rest of the matches will be in Pakistan so it is not a question of fair or unfair he saidThe Indian team doesnt depend on pitches even there in Dubai there are different kinds of pitches The team plays on its performances the players play on their strengths and not depend on pitches Shukla addedThe quickwitted Shukla was asked if it would not have been better if the final had been held in Lahore to which he responded For that Australia should have won yesterday Tuesday But since they lost the final would have to be played in DubaiWhen asked about the Asia Cup scheduling he replied You know it is status quo so it will happen accordinglyI had come here for the Asia Cup as well Roger Binny was also there and Jay Shah has also been cooperating completely said Shukla when asked about what he would take back from Pakistan as a BCCI officialWith PTI inputs