New Delhi: Pakistan High Commission to India Abdul Basit on Friday said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was waiting for the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) response regarding ODI matches between the two nations at a neutral venue.
“The PCB has been waiting for the response from the BCCI. As a Pakistani, I would like the two teams to play,’ said Basit.
Former BJP leader and head of Observer Research Foundation Sudheendra Kulkarni, meanwhile, said the cricket series between India and Pakistan must begin, even if on a neutral territory.
“Cricket brings a numbers of fans from both sides (India and Pakistan) together and creates a positive atmosphere,” said Kulkarni.
Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla had on Thursday confirmed that Sri Lanka was decided as the neutral venue for the much-anticipated series between India and Pakistan next month.
“The India-Pakistan series will happen tentatively from December 15 in Sri Lanka, which will mark the resumption of cricketing ties between the two sides,” senior BCCI functionary Shukla told media.
The venue for the proposed bilateral series was decided after the top officials of India and Pakistan’s cricket board met at headquarters of the International Cricket Council in Dubai on Sunday.
The BCCI had proposed Pakistan to play limited-overs series against them in India in December, which includes five ODIs and two T20s.
But PCB chief Shahryar Khan had refused the proposal, saying he would not compromise on players’ safety.
India have not played a full bilateral Test series with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The last time the two nations played was in 2012-13 when Pakistan visited India for a three-match One Day International (ODI) and two-match Twenty20 series.
According to a memorandum of understanding signed between the PCB and BCCI, both countries are scheduled to play six series between 2015 and 2023 after a clearance from the Indian Government. (ANI)