There seems to be light at
the end of the tunnel after all as Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) chairman, expressed optimism at the prospect of arranging a
bilateral series with India.
Butt, who visited India recently and met with the Board of Control
for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials, hinted at a breakthrough during
discussions with his counterparts.
While there have been meetings to discuss the arrangement of the
bilateral series, India, with their packed schedule, are unlikely to
create a window.
However, the BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla had earlier announced
that the board had received the go-ahead from the Indian government and
with the PCB already eager to hold the series, Butt’s visit seems to
have achieved a lot.
Relations were strained after the Mumbai attacks in November 2008 and
while the two cricket-crazy nations have clashed with each other in
various tournaments, fans have been deprived of a bilateral series.
However, the arrangement got a lifeline with the new Future Tours
Programme (FTP) of the International Cricket Council which shows a
series between the two countries in March-April next year.
‘Series to be finalised soon’
The PCB chief said that his meetings with BCCI officials would help in reviving bilateral ties.
“I held discussions with Indian officials,” Butt told The Express
Tribune. “Both countries have shown their eagerness for the revival of
the series. We’re working on finalising terms and conditions and fans
will hear the good news soon.”
‘Talks of neutral venue premature’
Meanwhile, the PCB chairman termed reports that suggest a neutral
venue as a possible location for the bilateral series as premature.
“We are still at a stage of finalising things. Confirming anything on the venue would be premature.”
Shukla also expressed unawareness on the reports of a neutral venue.
Creating window is a tough task
Meanwhile, despite the breakthrough, revival in the near future
appears slim due to the tight international schedule of the two teams.
India are unlikely to fit in the series this year due to a hectic
schedule while the scheduled series is also clashing with the Asia Cup.
“This is why the two boards are not confirming anything,” said a PCB
official. “They’re working on the creation of a window for the series as
soon as possible.”
News By : Express Tribune
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