Cricket team’s Toronto trip may get the skip

Meanwhile, the Board has decided to hold the meeting only after getting the green signal from the government. According to Board sources, the reason is that it does not want egg on its face. In case the selectors (under obvious instructions from the Board) decide to include the tainted players, the Board could face public ire and at the same time irritate both the Sports Ministers. That could also add up to the government view that India should not play Pakistan in the current atmosphere of hostility between the two countries.

The cricket scenario in India and Pakistan is uncertain. And match-fixing is not the only worry. The obvious split at the global level between the white and non-white nations also threatens to affect the Indians and Pakistanis. In such a situation, it is important for Indian and Pakistan cricket boards to be seen as united. Soon after the laying down of the office by former ICC President Jagmohan Dalmiya, the ICC has seemed to be turning against the sub-continent.

The first indication came when the bid for TV rights for the next two World Cups as also ICC Knock-out Cups went against Zee TV. Indian cricket officials, as also Zee officials, have criticised the ICC for the way the TV rights were decided recently.

Even as India and Pakistan fight the ICC, the proposed Test series between the two, the first one in 11 years, could be another casualty. India are due to tour Pakistan for Test series later this season.