In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put forth its nominees to represent the board during the Asia Cup 2023 campaign in Pakistan. BCCI President Roger Binny and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla have been chosen to attend the matches scheduled for the Pakistan leg of the tournament, as part of their diplomatic sporting relations.
The invitation to attend the matches on Pakistani soil was extended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to the BCCI, a move that underscores the potential for sporting diplomacy to foster connections between the two neighboring nations. The Asia Cup 2023 is set to commence on August 30, igniting the cricketing fervor of fans across the region.
Roger Binny and Rajeev Shukla are slated to represent the BCCI during their presence in Pakistan. The distinguished officials are expected to travel to Pakistan via the Wagah Border, a symbolic crossing point that signifies the shared heritage and history between India and Pakistan. Their arrival is scheduled for September 4, marking an important juncture in the Asia Cup.
The tournament itself will see Pakistan hosting four matches, while Sri Lanka will have the privilege of hosting nine matches, including the final showdown. However, it’s worth noting that the initial hosting rights granted to Pakistan were reallocated after India expressed reservations about playing its matches on Pakistani soil.
According to reliable sources, the trio of Binny, Shukla, and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah are also set to be in Sri Lanka to witness one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament: the India vs Pakistan clash scheduled for September 2 in Pallekele, Kandy. This high-stakes encounter is expected to draw cricket enthusiasts from around the world.
After witnessing the marquee clash, the trio will return to India on September 3. However, Binny and Shukla’s journey isn’t confined to the cricketing battlegrounds alone. The PCB has extended a gracious invitation for an official dinner, scheduled to be hosted by the PCB at the Governor House in Lahore on September 4. Both Binny and Shukla have been invited along with their respective spouses, making this a diplomatic and social engagement of significance.
The matches that Pakistan will be hosting during the tournament include:
- Pakistan vs Nepal in Multan on August 30
- Bangladesh vs Afghanistan in Lahore on September 3
- Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka in Lahore on September 5
- 1st Super 4s match in Lahore on September 6
While Pakistan is slated to host four matches, the majority of the tournament’s matches will take place on Sri Lankan soil. The Asia Cup 2023 promises to be a thrilling showcase of cricketing talent, camaraderie, and the power of sports to transcend boundaries and foster connections between nations.
As the cricketing world gears up for the excitement of the Asia Cup, the attendance of BCCI’s top officials in Pakistan underscores the potential for cricket to not only entertain but also bridge divides and facilitate constructive dialogues between India and Pakistan.