The Pakistan and Indian Cricket Boards are facing a logistical
headache scheduling their bilateral Test series next year in March-April
as the Asia Cup tournament is clashing with the much anticipated
series.
 The Pakistan and Indian cricket Boards are facing a logistical headache scheduling their bilateral Test series next year in March-April as the Asia Cup tournament is clashing with the much anticipated series. © AFP |
According to a senior official of the Pakistan Cricket Board, the
problem was arising because while Pakistan was due to tour India from
first week of March, the Asia Cup was also scheduled to start in
Bangladesh around the same time.
The official said the statements emanating from the Board of Control
for Cricket in India (BCCI) about finding a suitable time slot for the
revival of bilateral series between the two countries pertained to this
problem.
"The Asian cricket Council (ACC) and the Indians are trying to find a
solution because under International Cricket Council regulations
bilateral tours take precedence over everything else," the official told
PTI.
Interestingly, when the ACC finalised the Asia Cup schedule and
awarded the event to Bangladesh, bilateral ties between Pakistan and
India were suspended by the Indian board on apparent instructions of its
government.
But after the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali and the visit of
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani for the match on the invitation of
his Indian counterpart, the diplomatic and political scenario between
the two nations has improved a bit.
And recently the Pakistani foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar also
officially visited India and held talks with Indian foreign ministry and
government officials in which resumption of bilateral cricket ties also
came under discussion.
"The problem is that both Pakistan and India have a packed
international calendar for the next eight months and they are also
instances where when Pakistan is free India is busy or when India is
free Pakistan team is scheduled to play matches," the official said.
The official said that when the chief executives meeting is held next
month, the PCB would hold talks with the Indian board officials to
resolve the issue.
He said some solution would have to be found as the ACC and member
countries also didn't want the Asia Cup postponed as the ACC had
commitments with its broadcasters.
He added that any suggestion on part of the PCB to the BCCI to split
or share earnings of the series in India could only be discussed once
the schedule was finalised.
"That is why any meaningful talks will only begin on such issues next
month and after the Indian board sorts out the time slot and dates
issues," he said.
He also clarified that the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt had not gone to New
Delhi to meet with Indian board officials and said no official meeting
was scheduled between them.
The PCB official conceded that Pakistan was keen for the bilateral
series to resume and wanted to tour India and was also willing to play
the Indians at any neutral venue.
India has not played any bilateral cricket match with Pakistan since
late 2007 and cancelled a full tour to Pakistan in early 2009 in the
wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.
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