New Delhi, Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that the Indian government will have the final say on playing a bilateral cricket series against Pakistan.
The former Indian captain said the government should decide on series as it was the best judge.
“An India vs Pakistan series is not just sports, it’s much more than that so the government is the best judge and up to them to take a call if we should play,” Dhoni said.
MS Dhoni, on Sunday, attended a cricket match organised by army in Baramulla’s Kunzar in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He also interacted with players and local people. Dhoni holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army.
India have not played any bilateral series with Pakistan since a series featuring two T20Is and three ODIs in India in 2012-13.
As per the ICC Future Tours Program, each of its member countries are bound to play against each other at least once and if India do not play with Pakistan, they would lose points.
As per the format, each team would play at least three home and away Test series respectively and members are free to negotiate more series (between 2019 to 2021) depending on availability.
BCCI and PCB had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. Pakistan Cricket Board has sent a notice of dispute to the BCCI claiming losses due to the its refusal to tour Pakistan in 2015.
India has refused to play any bilateral cricket with Pakistan due to strained relations.
