Boycotting India an option says PCB chief Shahryar Khan

Kolkata, Oct 1. In the backdrop of the uncertainty over a bilateral cricket series, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shahryar Khan on Thursday urged India not to mix sports with politics and did not rule out using the option of boycott if the matches do not materialise.

"Politics should not be mixed with sports, both should be separate. Don't deny the spectators and fans some wonderful cricket," Khan told reporters here.

Khan, a former Pakistan foreign secretary, denied having said that if the December series do not go through, his country would boycott India in International Cricket Council (ICC) events but later revealed that boycotting would be an extreme measure.

"No, I never said anything about boycotting India in ICC events. But PCB is still waiting to know the future of the Indo-Pak series in December."

"Boycotting is an extreme measure but it is an option. If you don't agree to the conditions of a signed document then definitely I will ask for compensation. The series is an agreement and if it does not takes place it is reasonable to ask for a compensation," Khan said.

"If BCCI does not honour the MoU then we will see what needs to be done. We have other options too open to us. but if the series does not take place we will suffer financial and other losses."

The PCB chief flew in to the city on Wednesday night to meet the family of the late Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya.

The two countries were supposed to play a bilateral series in December, but political tensions between the two neighbours have made the tournament doubtful.

However, Khan said the BCCI should honour the six-series MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) it had signed with the PCB.

"We had signed an MoU with BCCI for six series between India and Pakistan. First of this series is scheduled in December. We also hope that BCCI honours the MoU we signed for these six series," he said.

Khan also revealed he was going to have a meeting with BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur and discuss with him the possibilities of holding the series.

"I have had a reply from Thakur that he will be meeting me in Dubai, where we will probably decide what is to be done. The final decision, however rests with the Government of India," he said.

The 81-year-old added he would also discuss the MoU with BCCI presidential candidate Shashank Manohar who is in all possibilities will be elected as the next BCCI president at the Special General Meeting on October 4.

"I will tell him about the BCCI MoU but we will see if he will honour it, I have high regard for him (Manohar), I will assure him of our cooperation and congratulate him in advance when I visit Delhi," Khan said.

(IANS)