Lalit Modi has provided a blunt evaluation of why bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan stays off the desk, suggesting that political components proceed to overshadow any sporting intent.
Talking on The Overlap Podcast with Michael Vaughan, Modi pointed to deep-rooted political tensions as the first purpose behind the extended absence of bilateral sequence between the 2 nations. The final such engagement got here within the 2012–13 tour, when Pakistan traveled to India for a limited-overs sequence.
Political tensions block bilateral revival
“The issue is, if the Pakistan Cricket Board was impartial and ran independently with out political affect, we might have some traction. However at this time, it’s so politicised by the powers that be,” Modi stated.
He added that the stress on the political degree exhibits no indicators of easing anytime quickly. “There’s stress on the political degree, and that isn’t going away. It is solely going to worsen, so I concern for the gamers,” he stated, earlier than concluding, “I do not assume it is going to be potential within the close to future. Realistically, I do not see something taking place there.”
Summing up his stance in stark phrases, Modi stated: “Pakistan is an issue. That is all I can say.”
The present state of affairs has meant that India and Pakistan now meet solely in multinational tournaments, usually at impartial venues resembling Sri Lanka or the UAE, with each boards unwilling to journey to one another’s nations.
From IPL inclusion to exit
Modi additionally mirrored on his position in shaping cricketing ties between the 2 nations throughout his tenure. He recalled efforts to revive engagement by means of exhibition matches and tournaments.
“I used to be the primary one after 9 years to convey India and Pakistan collectively in 2006 with the Friendship Sequence. I began with the Glasgow match after which did one other one in Abu Dhabi when the brand new stadium was constructed. We introduced them again collectively,” he stated.
He additional highlighted his involvement in integrating Pakistani gamers into the early years of the Indian Premier League. Throughout the inaugural 2008 season, a number of Pakistan stars featured throughout franchises, together with Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir, amongst others.
“I used to be additionally the one who introduced Pakistani gamers into the IPLafter which needed to transfer them out after the 26/11 assaults in Mumbai,” Modi famous, referencing the turning level that halted their participation within the league.
Regardless of the strained relations, Modi struck a private word whereas talking about Imran Khan. “He was a terrific participant and a superb good friend of mine. To me, he’ll at all times be a cricketer first,” he stated.
With political tensions displaying little signal of easing, Modi’s remarks recommend {that a} return to bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan stays a distant prospect, with followers prone to see the 2 sides conflict solely in international tournaments for the foreseeable future.
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