Officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have contacted their Indian counterparts as they seek a resumption of cricket ties with their neighbours, reports on Saturday said.
There have been reports that both countries are set to resume bilateral ties following last month’s World Cup semi-final meeting at Mohali..
PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed revealed that the board has been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over e-mail, according cricket website Cricinfo.
“We sent them an email and they replied but as they are busy with the Indian Premier League (IPL) currently, talks will begin after the IPL is over,” Subhan was quoted as saying.
While recent reports in the Indian media suggested a bilateral series could be planned soon, the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Program (FTP) shows there is no window for either team to play a full-fledged series before early 2012.
“Both sides are very busy with FTP requirements in the near future so finding a window will be the first thing. Then we’ll talk about the matches themselves and what kind they will be, a three match ODI series or whatever.”
If such a series is planned, it will most likely be played at a neutral venue, although PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt ruled out the option, saying Pakistan wants to host India on its soil.
“The prime minister has directed us to host this series in Pakistan so we are not looking at the option of a neutral venue,” Butt told reporters.
Primer ministers of both countries met and held talks at the Mohali semi-final, showing signs of revival of ties between the arch-rivals.
