“No bilateral matches with Pakistan until they put an end to terrorism”, says Sports Minster Anurag Thakur.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has reiterated the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) long-standing stance that a bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan will remain on hold until Pakistan takes decisive measures to combat terrorism. Thakur’s statement comes in the aftermath of a tragic incident involving the loss of three Indian security personnel during an encounter with Pakistan-based terrorists in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir. The fallen heroes included an Army Colonel leading a Quick Response Team (QRT) from the Rashtriya Rifles, an Army Major, and a Deputy Superintendent from the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Since the 2012/13 season, India and Pakistan have not engaged in a bilateral cricket series, with their encounters limited to multi-nation tournaments such as the World Cup, the Asia Cup, and the Champions Trophy.

Sports Minister said “BCCI had decided much earlier that we would not play bilateral matches with Pakistan until they put an end to terrorism, cross-border attacks and infiltration. I think the sentiments of the country and of the public are also the same.”

Despite the absence of bilateral contests, the two cricketing giants recently faced off in the Super 4 round of the Asia Cup held in Colombo. During this high-stakes encounter, India emerged victorious by a commanding margin of 228 runs. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul showcased their batting prowess with centuries, while Kuldeep Yadav made a significant impact with his exceptional bowling performance, securing a remarkable 5/25.