Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan on Friday said that he was open to other proposals from the BCCI regarding the venue of the proposed Indo-Pak series though the PCB would favour holding it at the UAE. Khan, who recently visited India to make a strong case for revival of cricket ties between the two countries, told Geo Super channel that the PCB would think over other venues than UAE once the BCCI officials intimate them regarding this. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has said the series proposed to be played in December could also be held in India. “So far the Indian Board officials have not given anything in writing that they want the series to be played at some other venue. When they do, we will look at it as well,” he said. Khan said that the PCB had clearly mentioned UAE as the venue for the first of a package of six series signed between the two Boards last year in an MoU. “We have clearly mentioned UAE in the MoU. But if the Indian Board officials have something else to say, they can do it in writing,” he added. The PCB chief admitted that the BCCI officials had raised questions about who would broadcast the series because of issues they had with Ten Sports channel. He said the PCB was ready to look into it. Ten Sports, which is backed by Essel Group owner Subhas Chandra, has had run-ins with BCCI after they started now defunct rebel Indian Cricket league (ICl). The network is reportedly planning to start a rebel T20 league and a parallel cricket set up to the ICC. BCCI does not want any kind of working relationship where Essel group is involved. “We have a binding agreement with Ten Sports but if the Indian Board have any apprehensions we will talk to our broadcasters,” Khan said.
‘Zimbabwe tour on’
Zimbabwe’s cricket team will tour Pakistan next week after receiving clearance from its government, Shaharyar said on Friday. Khan said Zimbabwe Cricket counterpart Wilson Manase told him the tour will go ahead, and he’s asked him to send confirmation. “Wilson Manase told me he has got the clearance from his government to go, and he will send it in writing too,” Khan said.