Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sharad Pawar denied suggestions that he was instrumental in former India captain Sourav Ganguly being recalled to the team despite opposition from coach Greg Chappell and captain Rahul Dravid.
Speaking to rediff.com on Thursday, he said he does not believe in interfering in the selection process.
"The decision is clearly that of the selectors to take Ganguly back into the Indian side. I would be the last person to give any directive to the selection committee for any particular player," he said.
He conceded that Ganguly though had placed his case before him.
"I met him just like I would meet captain David and coach Chappell. You should not read anything more into that meeting," he said.
Pawar said he would travel to Pakistan to watch some matches on the tour, the most-likely venue being Lahore.
He informed that a team of security and BCCI officials had visited Pakistan to take stock of the security arrangements at the playing venues.
"They were satisfied and gave their report to the Home Ministry. If the Home Ministry is satisfied about the security cover provided to our team during the tour, then I, as the Board president, am also happy," he said.
Will Prime Minister Manmohan Singh be visiting Pakistan to watch a match?
"The invitation for a visit by our prime minister must come from the Government of Pakistan. The BCCI has nothing to do with it," he clarified.
