India, Pakistan keen to resume playing ties

Cricket365
May 13, 2015

Pakistan hope to resume bilateral playing ties with India after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan held discussions with his India counterpart in Kolkata on Sunday.

Pakistan and India, Asian neighbours and bitter rivals, have not faced each other in a bilateral series in eight years and Pakistan are proposing a series consisting of three Tests, five ODI's and two T20 Internationals which will be played in the UAE in December.

The UAE is a neutral venue where Pakistan have been forced to play since militants attacked a Sri Lanka team bus in 2009 leaving seven players injured and eight people dead.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said: "We want to resume India-Pakistan series in the UAE. Preparations are in full swing. We have to overcome the final hurdle because an India-Pakistan series is more important than any series in world cricket."

BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya says India are happy to resume playing against their neighbours but would have to get clearance from their government due to political tensions between the countries.

Dalmiya said: "We are very hopeful of reviving the series. But a few things need to be sorted out. Without the support of the federal home ministry and the government, we can't go forward."

The BCCI also said in a statement: "After proactive discussions, since there are certain matters that need to be addressed and considered, it was decided to take appropriate steps.

"The two boards would be in regular touch and review the situation."