The cricket fans will have to wait a few more days to find out whether the iconic bilateral series between arch-rivals India and Pakistan would go ahead next month.
"Wait for a couple of more days," was the cryptic retort by BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur to a reporter's query on the issue after fresh talks have taken place between the heads of the two countries' cricket boards.
While the BCCI has invited Pakistan to play the series in India, its counterpart PCB has declined the offer and has said the series will have to take place in UAE where all its home international games are being held over the last few years.
Asked why the BCCI was not interested in playing in UAE, after conducting the initial phase of the Indian Premier league there in 2014, Thakur kept mum for some time before saying for a bilateral series the participating cricket boards must feel comfortable over the venue.
"For any international event organised by ICC or ACC, it's up to them to decide which is going to be the venue. For a bilateral series it's upto the two nations to decide where they are comfortable," he said.
Meanwhile, the two-member committee formed by the BCCI to probe "Snoopgate" by the previous regime met former secretary Sanjay Patel and former/current treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry to delve deeper into the issue.
"They (Ajay Shirke and G Gangaraju) met today (with Sanjay Patel and Anirudh Chaudhry) and sought certain details. They (Patel and Chaudhry) sought some time to reply with details. It's (probe) going to take some time (to be completed)," said Anurag Thakur.
The matter about BCCI having engaged a British firm to snoop on its members for a consideration reportedly to the tune of $900,000, had come up during the November 9 AGM of the Board here, following which it had set up the two-man committee of Shirke and Gangaraju to probe it.
‘chennai in race for wc t20’
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai faces certain problems ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 next year, but the BCCI has not yet ruled out the ground as one of the venues for the biennial event.
"We held a detailed discussion today. There were certain centres which were given deadlines of August 25 to submit completion reports and we are still waiting for their certificates. Yes, in Chennai there was some problem. We had been keeping it pending," said Thakur.
He talked to reporters after a BCCI meeting to take stock of the preparations for the mega event commencing on March 11, 2016.
"We have not ruled out Chennai. The only issue is which matches can be played in Chennai. There are certain limitations — can't play Sri lanka there, three stands are not complete and you can't keep Indian fans away from those stands," said the BCCI secretary.
"I think that situation won't arise," he said when asked whether the BCCI had any standby venue in consideration.
Kolkata is set to host the final on April 3.
"There are many things to be considered before allocating matches to any venue. We all know what are the limitations, which teams can't play in which centres. That's why today's meeting was held to find out which are the right venues and how we can organise a successful World Cup in 2016 in India," the BCCI secretary said.
"There's no new course of action. We will send details to the ICC (International Cricket Council). They will approve it and then the fixtures will be released," he explained. Thakur said that BCCI was very keen to make the 2016 WC a great experience for the cricket fans.
"2011 was successful World Cup (Fifty overs) in India. The new challenge is what extra can you do. The 2016 World (T20) Cup would be dedicated to fans who should have a great experience.
"We are going to earmark specific areas for specially abled people. There should be turnstiles in each area. There should be proper security. The toilets must be clean and there must be drinking water. These are basic amenities which should be there."