New Delhi. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Roger Binny and Secretary Rajeev Shukla have returned from their Pakistan tour. The visit is a historic moment as he crossed the border through the Attari-Wagah border. Both the officials stressed that their tour was solely focused on cricket and had no political connotations. Binny and Shukla engaged in constructive discussions during their two-day visit, which mainly focused on reviving cricketing ties between the two countries. They discussed resumption of bilateral cricket series and other matters related to cricket. The move is being seen as an important step towards promoting cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistan.
Roger Binny expressed happiness over the warm welcome he received in Pakistan. He reminisced about the hospitality he experienced, which reminded him of the Test matches he played in 1984. The dignitaries and officials treated him with the utmost respect, akin to the courtesy accorded to visiting royals. His meetings with officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board were cordial and mutually satisfactory.
#WATCH , Punjab: BCCI President Roger Binny and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla arrive at the Attari–Wagah border in Amritsar after visiting Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/pYvbHgCxiO
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2023
positive exchange of ideas
While talking about his two-day visit, Rajiv Shukla said that a welcome dinner was organized in his honor by the Governor of the area. Pakistan Cricket Board officials were equally keen to promote better cricketing relations between the two countries. Both sides discussed the possibility of resuming the bilateral series and agreed that this decision should be taken by the respective governments.
#WATCH , BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla says, “It was a two-day visit and a good visit. The Governor hosted a dinner in our honour. The hospitality of the people of the Pakistan Cricket Board was also good. Their demand was that cricket between the two countries should be… pic.twitter.com/TIBWZT6VxH
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2023
sports beyond politics
Both Binny and Shukla stressed that the tour was solely focused on cricket and had no underlying political agenda. He strongly believes that cricket has the power to bridge distances and promote goodwill between India and Pakistan.