BCCI official Shukla lauds Pakistan’s efforts to host successful Champions Trophy

By our correspondent
LAHORE: The BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has lauded Pakistan’s efforts to conduct a successful ICC Champions Trophy.
“The matches which played so far both in Pakistan and Dubai I think it seems to be a successful tournament,” Shukla told reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
Shukla and a few top officials of other cricket boards around the world have arrived in Lahore on the invitation of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to witness the second semi-final being held between South Africa and New Zealand.
While responding to a question Shukla said that had Australia won the semi-final against India in Dubai then the final would have been held in Lahore.
Asked whether it is not unfair that India is playing all its matches at the same venue Shukla said that when the decision was taken at the ICC level so it was confirmed that India will play it’s matches in Dubai.
“There is nothing like fair and unfair. Indian team does not rely on pitch but it plays on the basis of its calibre and performance,” Shukla said.
Asked that how fans on both sides of the border could be made happy with the restoration of the bilateral series between Pakistan and India Shukla said that it’s “categorical and clear” that it’s the decision of the Indian government.
“And whatever Indian government will tell us the things will be done according to that,” Shukla said.
Asked whether bilateral series cannot be held on neutral venue Shukla said: “This is the consistent policy of the BCCI that bilateral series should be held on the soils of each other and it must be the policy of the PCB as well. Let’s see what dialogue is held,” Shukla said.
He stressed that when there is any event so BCCI asks its government and then the teams go.
Asked whether Asia Cup will also be held on the hybrid model Shukla said: “You know it’s a status quo. Let’s see.”
About success of the hybrid model Shukla said that it has been successful as two events have been held on this pattern already.
When pressed that how bilateral series between Pakistan and India could be revived Shukla said that there is a major provision relating to the government’s consent in the ICC provisions, adding Indian government always takes a well thought out decision.
“And whatever is decided in future we will let you know,” he said.