Due to recent political tensions between the two countries, the BCCI seem keen to cut off cricketing ties with Pakistan even at multi-nation tournaments.
India and Pakistan – currently the top two teams on the ICC Test Rankings – haven’t played a single Test against each other since 2007, but have regularly faced off in ICC tournaments and at the Asia Cup.
According to BCCI President Anurag Thakur, the Indian cricket board will look to follow the Indian government’s policy of isolating Pakistan and has conveyed the same message to the ICC.
“Keeping in mind that the government has adopted a new strategy to isolate Pakistan and in view of the public sentiment in the country, we request ICC not to put India and Pakistan in the same pool of the multi-nation tournaments,” Thakur said.
India and Pakistan have been grouped together in ICC tournaments over the last few years, with the ICC even admitting that it is something they do to increase interest.
PCB source "If BCCI really don't want to play Pakistan at all would they be willing to forfeit Champions Trophy match against us?" #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 1, 2016
Earlier this year, ICC chief executive David Richardson had said: “No doubt we want to try to put India versus Pakistan in our event. It’s hugely important from an ICC point of view.
“It’s massive around the world and the fans have come to expect it as well. It’s fantastic for the tournament because it gives it a massive kick.”
India have got the better of their arch-rivals in ICC tournaments in recent times, with Pakistan’s last win against India coming during the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy. In fact, India have never lost to Pakistan at the ICC World Cup or ICC World T20 ever.
The two nations have been drawn together for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England. They feature in Group B along with South Africa and Sri Lanka, and are scheduled to face each other on June 4 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
