Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), suggested the idea of an annual bilateral series between India and Pakistan to the BCCI, to make the relationship between the two nations more strong.
India refused to compete in the recently ended Asia Cup 2023, citing security concerns in Pakistan. Consequently, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) made the decision to shift some of the matches to Sri Lanka, where the Indian team played their matches. Nevertheless, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) responded elegantly by extending an invitation to officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to watch some of the Asia Cup games held in Pakistan. BCCI President Roger Binny and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla accepted the invitation, and upon their return, they commended Pakistan’s wonderful hospitality.
Surprisingly, the last bilateral series matchup between two bitter rivals was played back in 2012-14. These two cricketing giants have only met again on the grand stages of ICC competitions and the competitive arena of the Asia Cup.
In a move towards fostering cricket diplomacy, Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the PCB Management Committee, has put forward a unique proposal to the BCCI. He envisions the creation of a cricket series called the Jinnah-Gandhi bilateral series, named in honor of the iconic leaders Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Mahatma Gandhi. This proposed trophy, akin to the prestigious Ashes, aims to strengthen the bonds between the two nations through the spirit of cricket.
“I proposed BCCI to play an annual Gandhi-Jinnah trophy likewise the Ashes. India and Pakistan can tour each other for this series. I suggested to the BCCI that we should hold a Jinnah-Gandhi trophy,” Ashraf told ARY News.
The Indian cricket team will need the approval of the Indian Government before they can agree to play bilateral cricket matches in Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has consistently stated that touring Pakistan depends on receiving clearance from the Government of India.
Comments 1