Can't Play Cricket With Pakistan When People Are Dying On Border: BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Anurag Thakur, on Wednesday, said that he personally is not in favour of an India-Pakistan series in December, when people are losing their lives on the border. (India Won't Play With us: Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Shahryar Khan)

After months of dilly-dallying, Thakur perhaps gave the biggest hint that the series, in all likelihood, will not take place.

It was later confirmed when Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shahryar Khan said that India were not ready to play the series with the arch-rivals.

India's decision not to play the series will come as a blow for the PCB as it had managed to get a green signal from their Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

"Your people are getting killed at the border, will you play cricket? Of course, I will say no. Any Indian will say no to that. My personal feeling could be different, but as an organisation, what BCCI members have decided I have to honour that, because I'm the secretary of the Board," Thakur told in an exclusive interview to NDTV.

"Whatever, the former secretary has signed and which is binding on BCCI, today I can't get away from that," he added.

When quizzed about BCCI's commitment towards Pakistan cricket, Thakur was of the view that the Indian Board has equal commitment to every full member.

"I think we have a commitment to every full member. When you enter into a bilateral agreement, it is your commitment towards other boards that in this year, in this month, on this date we will come and play you on a mutually decided venue.

"For example on April 9, 2014, former secretary of BCCI (Sanjay Patel) had signed an agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board on the lines of the ICC meeting. In that agreement it's clearly mentioned that if you help us passing certain resolutions in the ICC, we will come and play you in a neutral venue.

Both India and Pakistan have voiced reluctance on playing the series at each other's home.

According to the ICC's schedule, Pakistan were supposed to host India in the UAE for a full tour comprising two Tests, five ODIs and two T20s later this year.

The politician-cum-cricket administrator said that he can't force BJP agenda or his person agenda on BCCI.

"When people ask me on social media about the series, I can't force BJP's agenda or my personal agenda on BCCI. But what BCCI takes a call as an organization, I've to convey that to the government of India," said Thakur.