No cricket match with Pakistan until it ends terrorism: Anurag Thakur

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• Sep 15, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced on Friday that India would not engage in any...

Digital Desk: Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced on Friday that India would not engage in any bilateral cricket matches with Pakistan until the latter takes decisive action to halt cross-border terrorism. Thakur, a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), emphasized that the BCCI had previously decided against resuming bilateral cricket relations with Pakistan, citing security concerns.

"The BCCI decided long ago that it will not play any bilateral matches with Pakistan until they stop terrorism. We will not resume our cricketing ties with Pakistan unless they stop carrying out attacks across the border or infiltration incidents," Thakur declared during a press conference in Rajasthan's Udaipur.

Thakur's statement came in response to the escalating demands for India to sever its cricketing ties with Pakistan following a tragic incident in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag, where four security personnel lost their lives during a fierce gunfight with terrorists. The standoff, now entering its third day, has heightened tensions in the region.

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Expressing his condolences for the fallen security personnel, Thakur vowed a robust response to the terrorists. "The Modi government has taken drastic steps against terrorism. Terror incidents have come down in the last nine years. What has happened in Kashmir is unfortunate and very sad. We will give the terrorists a befitting reply," he affirmed.

Thakur also drew attention to the inaction of the previous government, stating, "When the 26/11 attacks (Mumbai 2008 attacks) happened, the Manmohan Singh-led Congress government remained a mute spectator."

India has consistently maintained that it will engage in cricketing relations with Pakistan only if the latter discontinues its involvement in terrorist activities across the border.

The last bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan took place during the 2012-13 season, amid tense diplomatic relations. Subsequently, both nations have only encountered each other in International Cricket Council (ICC) events and the Asia Cup. India's last bilateral tour to Pakistan occurred in 2006.

In August, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed that India would not participate in the Asia Cup 2023, originally scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, citing "political tensions." In response, Pakistan threatened to withdraw from the ICC Men's World Cup, scheduled for the following month in India. However, the Asia Cup has since adopted a hybrid model, with some matches held in Pakistan and others in Sri Lanka, where India has played all its matches thus far.

India's stance on cricketing relations with Pakistan remains unwavering, with an insistence on the cessation of cross-border terrorism as a prerequisite for any bilateral cricket matches between the two nations.