There Is No Chance Of A Bilateral Series With Pakistan: Sourav Ganguly

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has ruled out any possibility of India playing Pakistan in bilateral cricket after the Pulwama terror attack.

India and Pakistan have not played a full bilateral Test series since 2007 when Pakistan visited India for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. 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.

The BCCI has also not kept Pakistan in its Future Tour Programmed for 2019-2023 cycles, snubbing the neighbouring country amongst its six proposed opponents for the World Test Championship beginning in 2019. And the bilateral ties is set to deteriorate further in the wake of the Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of 44 CRPF personnels.

There is an outrage across the country with the general public demanding a boycott of Pakistan in every possible sector. Sourav Ganguly said that he completely understands the reaction of Indians, saying he too feels the same.

“Whatever happened in Pulwama last week was really sad…it is the worst possible thing that could ever happen. And, whatever reactions came from the people of India…was right. There is no chance of a bilateral series with Pakistan after this incident,” Sourav Ganguly told India TV.

There are now also calls to boycott Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup. Ganguly said that he understands the situation before urging the government to take strong action.

“I can also understand the sentiments of people asking India not to play Pakistan in the World Cup and I feel the government should take strong action on this issue. The after effect of this should be strong from India,” Ganguly said.

With the calls for India to boycott Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup growing, Sourav Ganguly chose to stay pragmatic. He said that it would be really difficult for ICC to have a World Cup tournament without India.

“ICC can’t go on with a World Cup without India and I feel it will be really difficult for ICC to go on with a World Cup without India. But, you also have to see if India have the power to stop ICC from doing such a thing,” Ganguly said. “But, I feel a strong message should be sent.

India are scheduled to take on Pakistan on June 16 in Manchester. Latest reports are also suggesting that BCCI is set to ask ICC to not allow Pakistan in the World Cup.