Let's Keep Cricket Separate From Politics: Rajeev Shukla
Sri Lanka have emerged as the neutral venue for the series between India and Pakistan which is likely to comprise three ODIs and two T20s, tentatively scheduled between December 15 and the first week of January.
Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla has pushed for resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan, saying the sport should not be mixed with political controversies. (India and Pakistan Agree to Play Bilateral Cricket Series in 'Neutral' Sri Lanka)
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is awaiting response from the Indian government on the fate of the much talked about series next month while Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has got the clearance from their government. (England to Host Indo-Pak Test Series Next Year?)
"I am optimistic that the government will give the go-ahead to us. Both the parties (Boards) have agreed for Sri Lanka as a venue. The whole idea is to resume cricket between the two countries," Shukla said. (Rajeev Shukla Urges Pakistan Cricket Board to Make Lahore a Safe Venue)
Asked about voices that oppose the resumption of cricket ties, Shukla said cricket should be kept separate from politics.
"From day one I have been maintaining that cricket should not be brought into political controversy. Even the (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee government had given the nod in a worse situation for resumption of cricket. We had sent the Indian team to Pakistan. I think, we should play Pakistan," Shukla told a news channel.
Sri Lanka have emerged as the neutral venue for the bilateral series which is likely to comprise three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s, tentatively scheduled between December 15 and the first week of January.
Both countries have not played Test cricket since 2007 but Pakistan toured India in the winter of 2012-13 for a short limited-over series.