PCB chief thanks Mamata

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shahryar Khan has thanked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her kind gesture to welcome him to Kolkata for any meeting with top BCCI brass for discussion on possible resumption of Indo-Pak cricketing ties.

The PCB chief, who met IPL chief Rajeev Shukla at his residence in New Delhi today, telephoned CAB joint-secretary Avishek Dalmiya to convey her thanks to Mamata.

“He (Khan) was overwhelmed by the gesture of the Chief Minister in this moment of crisis. Mr Khan thanked the CM and in turn ‘Didi’ reiterated that he’s welcome to the sport-loving city of Kolkata anytime to hold talks,” Avishek told PTI.

Asked whether Khan was mulling to come to Kolkata, Avishek said: “Nothing has been decided yet. If BCCI and PCB agree for a meeting in Kolkata, the CAB will extend full cooperation.”

Khan is in India to discuss with the BCCI officials the proposed bilateral series between the two countries in December.

His proposed talks with BCCI president Shashank Manohar in Mumbai yesterday had to be aborted after angry Shiv Sena activists stormed the Board office to protest against any move to resume cricketing ties between the two countries.

Khan called on Shukla in New Delhi today and sought a meeting with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.