Rajeev Shukla on Pakistan visit: This is purely cricketing invitation, shouldn’t be mixed with politics
The HinduFor the first time in 17 years, two senior BCCI office-bearers — president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla — travelled to Pakistan and reached Lahore on Monday after crossing the Attari-Wagah border, honouring the PCB’s invitation to watch Asia Cup there. The last time an Indian cricket team travelled to Pakistan was back in 2008 for the Asia Cup. But in a heartening gesture, the BCCI approved Binny and Shukla’s participation in a dinner hosted by the Governor of Punjab province of Pakistan. Asked about the chances of resumption of bilateral cricketing contests, the Rajya Sabha MP said: “The decision with regards to bilateral series is taken by the Indian government and we would follow whatever the government suggests.” Binny recollected his last visit to Pakistan which incidentally was more than 16 years ago when he was a part of the Asian Cricket Council.