BCCI president Roger Binny to attend Asia Cup matches in Pakistan

| Manuja Veerappa | TNN | Aug 27, 2023, 08:36 IST

BCCI president Roger Binny on Saturday confirmed that he would tr... Read More

BENGALURU: BCCI president Roger Binny on Saturday confirmed that he would travel to Pakistan during the Asia Cup next month on invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

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PCB management committee chairman Muhammad Zaka Ashraf had earlier this month officially invited the Indian cricket board chief and his spouse to attend the Asia Cup matches in Pakistan and the PCB dinner in Lahore on Sep 4.

Speaking to TOI, Binny said, “BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla and I will travel to Pakistan through the Wagah Border on September 4. Apart from the official dinner, we will also witness a couple of matches.” They will return to India on September 7.

This is the first visit of a BCCI president to the neighbouring country after India severed bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Top-5: Century makers in the Asia Cup 2018

The veteran opener of India, Shikhar Dhawan tops the list. Dhawan had a memorable outing in the 2018 edition, where he was the highest run-getter in the tournament.

Apart from that, he was the only batter to score two centuries in that tournament. Dhawan scored 127 against Hong Kong and 114 against Pakistan.

The swashbuckling Afghan batter burst into the scenes when he trashed the strong Indian bowling line-up and scored a sensational hundred.

It was the only century that he made in that tournament. Shahzad ended up scoring 124 off 116 balls in that match.

Bangladesh’s veteran wicket-keeping batter, Mushfiqur Rahim scored a match-winning century against Sri Lanka in the opening game of the 2018 edition.

Rahim ended up scoring the highest individual score of the tournament – 144 off 150 balls.

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma too had a stellar tournament. Under his leadership, India won that tournament by defeating Bangladesh in a thrilling final.

Rohit was the second-highest run-getter in the tournament and scored 111 not out against Pakistan.

Bangladesh’s sensational batter, Litton Das lit up the final of the 2018 Asia Cup, where he scored a brilliant hundred against India.

It comes at a time when Pakistan have agreed to send their team to India for the ICC ODI World Cup beginning next month. Before heading to Pakistan, Binny will fly to Sri Lanka for India’s opener against Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2.

When asked by the board if he would accept the invitation, Binny said he had no hesitation.

“Because my previous travels to Pakistan have been very pleasant. They are very hospitable. I remember the stores we went to in the 1980s, the shop owners were excited to host Indians. We were offered tea at every store we visited,” the former all-rounder recounted.