It’s now official. There will be no Indian cricket team in Pakistan in early 2009.
After much wrangling, not to mention passing on the buck, the BCCI has announced that it is acting on the directives of the government of India and calling India’s tour to Pakistan scheduled for January 2009.
After many reservations were expressed with the BCCI itself non committal and more than happy to tow the government’s advice, the much sought directive has come. Earlier, the sports minister, M.S. Gill, had expressed reluctance on a proposed tour to Pakistan in light of the Mumbai attacks.
Now that sentiment and including that on the street seems to have prevailed upon the government. Given that some of the senior players themselves were unwilling to go ahead with the tour, this decision will not come as such a big blow since it was on expected lines.
More Explosive reading material about tours across the border:
Inzy Against Cutting Ties Borne out of Cricket
Fraternal Relations Taking Their Toll
Pakistani Patriotism– Boycott ICL and IPL
Butt Expresses Danger of Parallel Cricket Worlds
Canceling a Tour - an Indian Perspective
