BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla will reportedly travel to Lahore, Pakistan to watch the second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa set to be hosted by the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. A source of the Times of India issued a statement regarding the same as he goes as a BCCI-nominated representative.
Rajeev Shukla and BCCI President Roger Binny had visited Pakistan to witness a match hosted by Pakistan of the Asia Cup 2023 and the pair received a grand reception as then-PCB Chief Zaka Ashraf had extended his invitation. However, Binny won't be travelling to Pakistan on this occasion.
A source, as quoted by the Times of India said:
"Yes, Shukla is going to Lahore to attend the second semifinal of the Champions Trophy as a BCCI-nominated representative."
"By frankly having peace at the borders" - Sunil Gavaskar on possibility of India-Pakistan bilateral series
Meanwhile, with India and Pakistan not playing a bilateral series since 2012-13, former batting legend Sunil Gavaskar said the only way it can resume is if they are peace at the borders for a prolonged time. He said on Sports Central:
"By frankly having peace at the borders... (How can India and Pakistan play a bilateral series?) It’s very simple. If there's peace at the borders, then I think both governments will certainly say, 'Look, okay, we've had no incidents, nothing at all. So let's at least start talking. I'm pretty certain there will be some back-channel connections going on. But you want to see what's happening both on the ground and off the ground because of the fact that there are incursions we hear about. That’s the reason why the Indian government is saying, 'Look, maybe until all that stops, we should not even look at having or talking about anything."
