Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed ‘extreme’ disappointment over the removal of pictures of Pakistan Prime Minister and former World Cup-winning skipper Imran Khan at the Cricket Club of India, Mumbai as tensions between the two nations reach new heights.
The PCB released a statement Monday in which managing director Wasim Khan exhorted that cricket has always played a key role in building bridges between people and countries.
“Unfortunately, denying Indian cricket fans the right to follow HBL PSL by blocking all digital coverage as well as covering or removing portrait of former Pakistan cricket captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan and other legendary cricketers from one of the most historic cricket clubs and venues are highly regrettable actions,” stated Wasim.
“The PCB has also noted the recent turn of events and expresses its extreme disappointment as we have always believed and emphasised that sports and politics should be kept separate. History tells us that sports, particularly cricket, have always played a key role in building bridges between people and countries,” he added.
The Pulwama terror attacks February 14 have forced IMG Reliance to pull out of a deal to produce and broadcast PSL 2019. However, Khan remained positive about the PCB managing a new partner by Monday.
Khan confirmned that the PCB will take up the matter with the BCCI and the global cricket governing body in the International Cricket Council (ICC) committee meeting in Dubai later this month.
“The PCB intends to take up these incidents with the BCCI and the ICC official at the upcoming ICC committee meeting,” informed Khan.
IANS