New Delhi: Indian cricket board’s newly-elected president Roger Binny on Thursday, October 20 explained that the BCCI can’t take decisions on its own when it comes to traveling to other countries and it needs to rely on the directives of the Indian government. Binny’s comments come days after BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that the apex body of Indian cricket will push for next year’s Asia Cup to be held in a neutral venue.

Roger Binny made it clear that the BCCI would have to seek clearance from the Indian government

Roger Binny made it clear that the BCCI would have to seek clearance from the Indian government before taking any call on traveling overseas.

“That isn’t our call. We can’t say where our team has to go,” Binny was quoted as saying by news agency ANI on Thursday.

“We need to take clearance from the government if we leave the country, or other countries come here. We can’t take that decision on our own, we’ve to rely on the government,” he added.

Notably, it was at the Annual General Meeting, where Binny’s unanimous election as BCCI chief was confirmed on October 18, Jay Shah said India would push for the Asia Cup to be moved out of Pakistan, which has the hosting rights for the continental tournament next year.

The Pakistan Cricket Board reacted strongly to Jay Shah’s statement, threatening to pull out of the 2023 50-over World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India in October-November of 2023.

The PCB said it was surprised by Shah’s statement, adding that the Asian Cricket Council chief had presided over a meeting during which the Pakistan board was awarded the hosting rights.

“The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment of yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Mr Jay Shah with regards to shifting of next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue. The comments were made without any discussion or consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host) and without any thoughts towards their long-term consequences and implications,” the PCB said in a statement on Wednesday.

Hitting back at PCB’s statement, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Anurag Thakur, said on Thursday that India is not in a position to be dictated by anyone and that the 2023 World Cup will be held in India in a grand manner.