It’s a big ‘no' to bilateral cricket with Pakistan

India were supposed to play away against Pakistan in 2015, and are scheduled to host them in 2017. Chennai: The deadlock on bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan continues after the union government categorically rejected it on Monday. The meeting between the two boards in Dubai subsequently proved futile. However, India and Pakistan will continue to play in the ICC tournaments. On a day officials from BCCI and PCB met in Dubai to discuss the possibility of renewing their bilateral ties, which have remained suspended since 2012 due to diplomatic tensions, sports minister Vijay Goel ruled out bilateral matches between the two arch-rivals. India were supposed to play away against Pakistan in 2015, and are scheduled to host them in 2017. The meeting was held after the PCB had sent a notice of dispute to the BCCI, claiming losses for the BCCI's refusal to tour in 2015. Goel said the government wouldn't give its nod until the "cross-border terrorism" stops. "BCCI should speak to the government before giving any proposal to Pakistan. I have made it clear that bilateral cricket with Pakistan is not possible till the time there is cross-border terror. We have, however, no say on multilateral events (ICC tournaments)," Goel said. The next meeting between the two boards could take place in Birmingham, where India play Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.