BCCI Seeks Permission From Indian Government to Host Pakistan Women's Team

The relationship between two neighbouring countries – Indian and Pakistan has been in boiling water after the recent Pulwama attacks earlier this year. Soon after that, there were calls to boycott the Pakistan match in the ongoing ICC World Cup. And now, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have sought permission from the Indian Government to host Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team in an ODI series later this year as a part of ICC’s Women Championship which will help India qualify for the World Cup in 2021.

BCCI to host Pakistan later this year?

Meanwhile, it has been six years India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral due to the prevailing political tensions between the two countries. However, they have played against each other in multi-nation tournaments, the latest being the Asia Cup last year. BCCI now find itself in a complex situation over hosting Pakistan.

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ICC conducts the Women’s Championship where teams need to play each other on a home and away basis. The points system of this tournament determines the ranking of the teams to qualify for the World Cup. BCCI general manager (cricket operations) Saba Karim has explained the board’s position in a letter to the Sports Ministry on May 29.

“As per the schedule of the event, BCCI is to host Pakistan women’s team for at least three ODIs in India between July and November. BCCI would like to seek necessary permission from the government of India before giving its consent to ICC on this subject,” the letter, accessed by TOI, says.

As per recent developments, the clearance for hosting Pakistan by BCCI will have to come from the Ministry of External Affairs. The officials are waiting to hear a word from the government. Although there is no time frame to announce the schedule but ICC encourages to do it as early as possible.