Pakistan’s Decision Not to Play India a Slap in BCCI’s Face: Indian MP

NEW DELHI, India — An Indian Member of Parliament has described Pakistan’s decision not to play against India in the T20 World Cup as a major setback for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized India’s handling of Pakistan-India cricket diplomacy in an interview clip that has gone viral on social media.
“This is a slap in the face of India’s Sports Minister and the BCCI that despite being the strongest and richest body in the ICC, they are being boycotted today,” Chaturvedi said.
The parliamentarian said the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided not to play against India and is prepared to face the consequences, including penalties and fines.
“India could not adopt the position it should have taken in time,” she added, criticizing what she termed weakness in decision-making regarding Pakistan-India matches.
Cricket matches between the nuclear-armed rivals have become rare in recent years due to political tensions. The two countries typically only meet in major International Cricket Council tournaments.
Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012-13. Matches between the traditional rivals draw massive television audiences across South Asia and generate significant commercial revenue for organizers.
The ICC has not yet announced any penalties regarding Pakistan’s reported decision.