The PCB has been in contact with the Indian board over restarting bilateral contests

The Pakistan board has said they have initiated talks with the BCCI over resuming cricketing relations between India and Pakistan, though no decision has yet been taken on when and where to play or the number of matches. "There has been contact with the BCCI with regards to restarting bilateral contests," Subhan Ahmed, chief operating officer of the PCB, told ESPNcricinfo. "We sent them an email and they replied but as they are busy with the IPL currently, talks will begin after the IPL is over." There are no details yet of when and what form the contests will take but they are likely to be a short, bilateral ODI series. "There will be three stages to these talks," Subhan said. "Firstly, the boards will decide when we can actually play. 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. Finally we will discuss the venue for the series." The IPL runs till the end of May and India have three overseas tours in the eight months that follow, including high-profile series in England and Australia. India also have a full series home-and-away against West Indies, the Champions League Twenty20 and a home one-day series against England. India has suspended sporting ties with Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Since then, India and Pakistan have faced each other only three times, in ODIs at multi-lateral tournaments. The last of those meetings was the World Cup semi-final last month in Mohali, which was attended by the prime ministers of both countries. After the Mohali match, and the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan's politicians, India's foreign secretary Nirupama Rao said the government welcomed more sporting contact between the two countries. The BCCI has maintained that it has not received any communication from the government over resuming cricketing ties with Pakistan. While the PCB would like to hold the bilateral cricket series at home, security concerns are likely to rule that out, with the matches likely to be held in India or a neutral country.

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KENT OVERCOME ESSEX IN COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO

Kent overcome Essex in County Championship Division Two

Kent defeated Essex by 57 runs in a closely fought game of the County Championship Division Two, at the County Ground, Chelmsford in England on Monday. Chasing 285 runs for victory, the hosts were bowled out for 227 in their second innings on the final day’s play.

Earlier, Kent amassed 247 runs in their first innings after electing to bat first. The highlight of the innings was a terrific ton by first-drop batsman Sam Northeast. He scored 112 runs off 170 balls, hitting ten fours and two sixes.

Maurice Chambers bowled well for Essex, taking three wickets in the visitors first innings.

In reply to Kent's first innings total, the hosts got off to a dismal start. However, an unbeaten 88 by Essex captain James Foster guided the team’s total to 201, giving some hope to the side.

Kent scored 238 runs in their second innings and their first innings lead of 46 runs helped them post a target of 285 runs for the home team. The captain of the visiting team, Robert Key, and seasoned campaignerMartin van Jaarsveld scored half-centuries for their team.

Teenager Reece Topley was the pick of the bowlers for his team, taking his maiden five wicket haul for Essex.

Billy Godleman and Alastair Cook started the chase on a positive note for the home team. The pair put together 60 runs for the first wicket before Cook was sent back to the pavilion. The star player scored 31 runs off 51 balls in his innings. His wicket was followed by Jaik Mickleburgh, who managed to add only four runs to the total.

The fall of two quick wickets brought Ravi Bopara to the middle, who managed a 57-run stand with Godleman for the third wicket. However, the Essex opener got out after scoring a valiant 58 runs with the help of nine fours.

After that, none of the Essex batsman managed to make a big impression, and kept on losing wickets after getting starts. Bopara got out after scoring 39 runs whereas Foster managed just 21 runs in his innings. Topley was the last wicket to fall in the day, giving Kent a solid victory.

Fast bowler Robbie Joseph was exceptional with the ball, taking four wickets in the final innings of the match.

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