Batting for the resumption of Indo-Pak cricketing ties, PCB chief Shaharyar Khan on Sunday said that Pakistan are ready to host a series in the UAE in December. The series, which will involve three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s, is part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two Boards last year and Shaharyar is keen to abide by it.
“We resume India-Pak series in UAE. This is re-beginning of revival of Indo-Pak cricket. The series will start in December as per schedule and it will comprise three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s. The preparation is in full swing. We have to overcome the final hurdle,” Shaharyar said after a 30-minute meeting with BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya.
“I’m very realistic. We still have seven months to go, we both have agreed, the preparations have begun. UAE are ready to hold Tests in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It will be followed by ODIs,” Khan said in a joint briefing at Dalmiya’s 12 Alipore Road residence. “We’ll put in our best efforts to start it as per schedule. This is our desire. There are certain hurdles that we’ve to cross in order to actually hold the series but they are minor ones and we hope to get over that,” he said.
Dalmiya sounded hopeful about the resumption of cricketing ties but put the ball in the government’s court. “We are hopeful of reviving the series. Only few things need to be sorted out and obviously without common support we cannot go forward. Without the support of the home ministry and government we can’t do anything. At the moment we find no problems. There is no reason for that,” said Dalmiya.
BCCI later issued a release about a “courtesy meeting” between Dalmiya and Shaharyar at the former’s residence. “Regarding the resumption of bilateral cricket ties, it was felt that it is desirable to recommence such cricket contact. The two Boards would be in regular touch and review the situation,” BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said in the release.
Since 2007, India haven’t played a proper bilateral Test series with Pakistan due to political reasons, particularly after 2008 Mumbai attacks. Shaharyar also informed that even Bangladesh is keen to play host to an Indo-Pak tie. “I’ve just been to Bangladesh. They’re very keen. They told me why are you going to UAEIJ Why don’t you play your matches hereIJ You will get a fullhouse here if India-Pakistan are playing. So we’ll consider Bangladesh and other countries where we can schedule our home matches which at we cannot in Pakistan,” he said.