Sourav Ganguly Speaks On Chances Of India-Pakistan Bilateral Series

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has spoken on the chances of resumption of bilateral ties with Pakistan. The legendary cricketer will take over as the new BCCI President later this month and the relation with Pakistan will be high on his agenda. The arch-rivals have not played a full bilateral Test series since 2007 when Pakistan visited India for three Tests and five ODIs.

They played a short series of three ODIs and two T20s in India in December 2012, but otherwise, both have faced each other only in the ICC organised events or the Asia Cup. India last faced Pakistan in June this year during the World Cup. The BCCI has also not kept Pakistan in its Future Tour Programmed for 2019-2023 cycles, snubbing Pakistan amongst its six proposed opponents for the World Test Championship.

And it looks like the fans will have to wait longer to see the resumption of bilateral ties between the two countries. Sourav Ganguly has said that the decision on the resumption of ties depends on the Indian government.

“You have to ask that question to Modi ji and the Pakistan Prime Minister. Of course we have (to take permission), because international exposure (tours) is all through governments. So we don’t have an answer to that question,” Sourav Ganguly told reporters.

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Ganguly, meanwhile, has stated that he has his eyes set on improving the structure of first-class cricket. He has said that looking after first-class cricketers will be at the top of his priority list.

“For me, my biggest focus will be first-class cricket. I have been very vocal about looking after the first-class players, especially the time they invest. First-class cricket is the base, the strength. I have written so many times in the last few years that the remunerations need to increase, and increase manifold. So that’s going to be priority to set the fc cricket in order. Look at cricket structure, look how governance happens and see smooth functioning happens with no issues,” Sourav Ganguly recently said.