‘Keep politics away from cricket’: Former Pakistan keeper urges Tendulkar, Ganguly to intervene in Champions Trophy uncertainty

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin Khan has asked Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to keep politics out of the sport as uncertainty over India’s participation in the Champions Trophy in February persists. Speculation is rife that the BCCI won’t send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the mega event and will push for a hybrid model.

It is not the first time that BCCI has resisted travelling to the neighbours, as last year, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) applied the hybrid model to host the Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka — with India playing their matches in the island nation. However, Babar Azam-led Pakistan team travelled to India last year for the ODI World Cup.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since January 2013. Since then, both teams have only met in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.

The recent appointment of Jay Shah, currently BCCI secretary, as ICC chairman also makes Pakistan’s case weaker to host the entire tournament at their own home.

However, Moin has urged Indian cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Kapil Dev, and others to step in and counsel the BCCI to keep politics out of the game.

“Former India cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid, etc., should tell their cricket board to keep politics away from cricket. Cricket should not be obstructed by political issues. The fans would love to see India and Pakistan play. It will not only benefit Pakistan, but overall cricket will be benefited,” Moin told Cricket Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already submitted a draft schedule to ICC, keeping India games in mind.

In the draft schedule, India are slated to play all their matches in Lahore, including a possible semi-final and final. The India vs Pakistan marquee match has been pencilled in for March 1.

Moin further said if India doesn’t honour their commitments and travel to Pakistan, they the PCB should also reconsider participating in tournaments that are hosted by the BCCI.

He added, “India ought to honour their commitments with the ICC. And if they do not come, then Pakistan should reconsider their decision to participate in any future events slated to be held in India.”