BCCI refuses to send team to Pakistan for Emerging Nations Cup

BCCI refuses to send team to Pakistan for Emerging Nations Cup, India to play all matches in Sri Lanka

Emerging Nations Cup: A PCB official confirmed that India will play all their matches in Sri Lanka as the BCCI has denied sending the team to Pakistan.

The Board for Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) has refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the upcoming Emerging Nations Cup. Pakistan will get to stage some international cricket after more than a decade since the 2008 terrorist attacks. India will be playing their games in Sri Lanka with the final also scheduled in Colombo.

Bangladesh, UAE and Hong Kong are grouped with Pakistan for the Karachi leg of the tournament while Sri Lanka, India, Afghanistan feature in the other group in Colombo. BCCI's denial was further illustrated by a PCB official who said India are not ready in any terms and conditions to play in Pakistan again. 

The official  further said that three matches would be held at the National Stadium in Karachi which is undergoing renovation work and three others at the Southend cricket stadium

“A proper security plan has been prepared for the visiting teams and they will be given top security throughout their stay in Karachi from December 4 to 10" said the PCB official. 

Security of the players has been a very big issue in Pakistan over the past decade with many international players apart from the Indian players have also denied going to the country in the past. Another PCB official on his part said that the Emerging Nations Cup gives Pakistan yet another opportunity to prove that the country is safe enough to play cricket. 

The United Arab Emirates has been the adopted home venue since 2009 which over time has brought them decent success in international cricket. India and Pakistan played each other recently in the 2018 Asia Cup in the UAE. Pakistan suffered yet another defeat against India in knockout contests.

The PCB had also filed a compensation case against the BCCI for not honouring the bilateral series contract. It, however, was recently dismissed by the ICC Disputes Resolution Committee.