New Delhi: With the Champions League T20 set to start in India on September 17, the question on everyone’s mind is whether or not members of the Faisalabad Wolves — Pakistan’s domestic T20 champions — will be granted visa by the central government.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) interim head Jagmohan Dalmiya has formally said the government shall decide on the matter, top officials in the BCCI aren’t too keen on hosting the Pakistani outfit — due to national sentiments.

With Pakistani troops killing Indian soldiers on the Line of Control and the relations between the two countries deteriorating in recent times, BCCI officials feel that cricketing relations must take a back seat as they can’t overshadow national sentiments every single time.

Speaking to MAIL TODAY, a senior BCCI official said even though relations between the two countries’ cricket boards are cordial, national interest can’t be overlooked.

“Obviously the central government needs to give the go-ahead first as that is the protocol. But to be very honest, we aren’t too keen on hosting them. I do agree that at present, the rapport between the BCCI and the PCB is friendly, but then there is a limit to being considerate,” he said.

“We have always tried not to mix sports with politics, but the present situation is different. Even when they came in December, questions were raised, but we didn’t want the fans to miss out on watching competitive action between the arch-rivals. But not anymore.”

A senior official said, “You need to understand that the BCCI isn’t above the country. Whatever has happened in the recent past is unforgivable and we aren’t even thinking about Pakistan players helping in bringing in more fans into the stadium. Thinking about the number of fans and making profit all are immaterial right now,” he said.

The official further said security would be a huge issue if the Wolves were to play in the CLT20. “If they do play here, we will need additional security as we can’t take any chances with the players’ safety,” he said.

Reproduced From Mail Today. Copyright 2013. MTNPL. All rights reserved.
Courtesy: YAHOO CRICKET