LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday ruled out any unilateral efforts to resume sporting ties with India, stressing that future engagement would only take place on equal terms.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said Pakistan would not “beg” for talks with India. “I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held, they will be on an equal footing with India. That time has passed when we pleaded for negotiations. Whatever happens now will be on the basis of equality,” he said.
Bilateral sporting ties between the two countries remain suspended and were further curtailed this week after India’s sports ministry issued a new policy formally ending bilateral competitions with Pakistan, even at neutral venues.
The policy, however, allowed Indian players to face Pakistan in multilateral events, keeping intact next month’s Asia Cup cricket clash between the two rivals.
Naqvi also addressed concerns over Pakistan cricket teams’ recent poor run of form, saying the squad would show improvement soon.
“There is a proper selection team and advisory body. They reviewed the squad multiple times, and I have told them that all decisions should be based on merit. I will fully support that,” he said.
He clarified that he had no role in dropping senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, saying, “I do not even have a one per cent role in the team selection.”
The PCB chief further noted that a special cell had been established to assist sports journalists with visas for the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
“Whoever needs a visa will be provided with one,” he assured.
Urging fans to rally behind the national side, Naqvi cautioned against “needless criticism” that he said only demotivated players during tournaments.
He also expressed hope of improvement in the women’s squad, saying efforts were underway to strengthen it.
