KOLKATA – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi on Wednesdayplayed down pacer Hasan Ali move at the Attari-Wagah border during thetraditional flag-lowering ceremony.
In a video uploaded on social media, the 24-year-old pacer could be mocking the Border Security Force (BSF) of India as he emulated the Ranger, pattedhis thigh and flexed his muscles at the Indian soldiers and spectators onthe other side before doing his signature wicket-taking celebration step.
“Cricket teams always go to the Wagah border. Fast bowlers do what they do.I do not attribute any importance to it,” Sethi said.
“I do not want to discuss, otherwise you will bring politics into it,” thePCB chief said on the sidelines of the ICC’s quarterly meeting.
The PCB had shared pictures of Ali and his teammates visiting the border tosee the ceremonial lowering of the flag.
Sethi, meanwhile, reiterated that they have a “binding contract” with theBCCI to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.
The PCB is seeking USD 70 million in compensation and has initiated disputeresolution proceedings against the BCCI.
A three-member ICC panel has been entrusted with settling the dispute in ahearing in Dubai in October.