Controversial decision about Indo-Pak cricket matches

--Anil Narendra

Central Government has given permission to BCCI (Cricket Control Board of India) to play three one-day and two T-20 matches with Pakistan. The decision to restore cricket ties was taken at the BCCI's Executive Committee meeting held on Monday. The Board said in a statement that it was decided to invite the Pak cricket team to play three one-day and two T-20 matches from December 2012 to January 2013. One-day matches will be played in Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi, while T-20s will be played at Bangalore and Ahmadabad. According to a senior member of the Board, Rajiv Shukla, P Chidambaram has conveyed MHA's no objection in this matter, but the Ministry has not displayed any enthusiasm about this decision. Even the Ministry of External Affairs has also given clearance to this proposal. But this decision of the Central Government and BCCI is surprising and it definitely raises certain questions. Obviously people would like to know that what positive development has taken place recently which has prompted the Government of India to allow the Pak cricket team to play in India. Just recently, it has once again been established that Pak state agencies are involved in 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Surprisingly, even after revelations by Kasab, David Hadley and Abu Jindal, the Pak Government has not initiated action against the perpetrators of 26/11. Sunil Gavaskar has openly protested against this decision of the BCCI. He has said, 'Being a Mumbaikar, I feel that when Pakistan is not cooperating in the investigation of Mumbai attacks, then why there has been unduly haste in resumption the cricket ties?' Comments by Shahnawaz Khan of BJP were very interesting. He says that Pakistan cricket team has already visited India in connection with the World Cup. Now, the team of the perpetrators of terror in India should also be invited to visit India. The SP leader Abu Azami says that how can we maintain sport ties with a country that is responsible for the Mumbai attacks. Through this column, I had suggested during the IPL matches that when Pakistani umpires can visit India, Azhar Mahmood can come to this country via London, then why Pakistani players were being barred from playing IPL? Pakistani players playing IPL can be understood, but when Indo-Pak series is played on the invitation of the Government of India, then it is another thing. Today, civilized world including India is mounting pressure on Pakistan for curbing terror activities. Will it be wise to invite them to our country to play cricket, when Pakistan is showing negative attitude towards terror? We do not know what is the logic of the Government of India behind this decision, but it certain sends a message that its policy towards Pakistan continues to be wavering like before. Government of India's policy may be wavering, but Pak's attitude towards terrorism is firm like before and there has been no change in it. What could be more disappointing than that within 24 hours of according permission to Pak cricket team to play in India, a Pakistani Court rubbishes the report of the Pak Enquiry Commission, constituted to investigate the Mumbai attacks? It leads to the old question that is Pakistan is not at all interested in bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to the book? This question takes a more serious overtone, as the hearing against the seven persons accused of conspiring the Mumbai attacks has not yet started and there appears to be no sign of its beginning soon.