Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ehsan Mani had demanded visa assurance for Pakistan players, media and fans will be visiting India for the T20 World Cup to be held in India between October-November and it has surprised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Speaking to ANI, a board official said Mani’s comments are “immature” and also pointed that the Indian government has already made its policy clear when it comes to handing visas to players for international sporting events.

The BCCI official confirmed, “It was surprising to read Ehsan Mani’s comments, especially in the background of the wonderful working relationship that he shares with Sourav Ganguly (BCCI President) at the ICC. He is a gentleman and had in fact been a guide for Sourav during the pandemic along with Shashank (Manohar). One can’t help but think that it is very immature of Mani to give a statement like this.”

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He further added, “If they want to make it a political issue, it is, of course, their own wish. They do know that a cricket board of a country has absolutely no locus standi to give any assurance on an issue, which is not in their purview and is firmly in the decision-making sphere of the government.”

The BCCI official was of the opinion that the government has already made their position crystal clear on the issue of visas and an informed person would be aware of it. He reckons that the PCB chairman should be making efforts to try and normalize cricket relations between the two countries rather than making efforts to increase the tension. 

Then Sports Secretary Radhe Shyam Julaniya, in his letter on June 18, 2019, had clarified that the country of origin of athletes would not be a barrier for them to get visas to come and compete in international sporting events in India. This after a couple of Pakistan shooters were denied visas to compete in the ISSF World Shooting championship in the national capital. 

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Ehsan Mani on Sunday said the PCB has sent a letter addressed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in order to get details about the issuance of visas from India for the T20 World Cup. Mani also said if India fails to provide assurance then the T20 World Cup needs to be shifted somewhere else.