Butt likely to meet BCCI officials: sources

The Pakistan Cricket Board is tight lipped about a visit by the Chairman Ijaz Butt to New Delhi, even as sources say that the PCB chief may meet the BCCI officials during his visit.

The PCB is tight lipped about a visit by the Chairman Ijaz Butt to New Delhi, even as sources say that the PCB chief may meet the BCCI officials during his visit. © AFP

Butt landed in the Indian capital after attending an Iftar dinner hosted by the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad and these developments are being seen by political and cricket analysts as a positive move forward towards revival of Indo-Pak bilateral cricket relations.

Butt landed in Delhi after attending an Iftar dinner hosted by the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad.

But a PCB official said no official meeting is scheduled with the Indian Cricket Board officials.

"Apparently Butt has gone on a private business visit to India but in given circumstances one can't rule out the possibility of him meeting with Indian board officials to discuss revival of Indo-Pak ties," one source said.

The appearance of the PCB Chairman at the High Commission is also being given lot of significance and the Dawn, daily newspaper, reported on Sunday that it was part of the diplomatic efforts which were aimed at resuming sporting ties between the arch-rivals.

Both Pakistan and India have been facing turbulent relations since the 2009 terrorist attack in Mumbai.

The newspaper said the foreign ministry had specifically advised Butt to attend the Indian High Commission Iftaar dinner.

"We want resumption of dialogue between the two countries and it is a part of our efforts to resume sporting ties because sports can ensure peace in the region," observed the government official in the report.