Published: Dec 22, 2012, 07:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 22, 2012, 07:36 PM (IST)
Pakistan wil be touring India for two T20s and three ODIs next week © Getty Images
Karachi: Dec 22, 2012
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf has sought a meeting with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials during the New Delhi One-Day Internationals (ODI) in the upcoming series to discuss if India can visit Pakistan for a return series in August next year.
“We have conveyed to them we would like to formally discuss a tour by India to Pakistan next August and other matters that can further cement bilateral cricket ties between the two countries,” Ashraf said.
“We have conveyed we would like the discussions to be held when the match is held in New Delhi,” he said.
PCB will not raise any revenue sharing issues with the BCCI for the upcoming One-day series, starting December 25, in India as it wants bilateral ties to be frequent.
“It is not always about money. By the grace of God we are financially sound. But for us the priority at this time is to improve and cement ties with Indian cricket. We want to see long term benefits from such ties even a tour by India to Pakistan,” he said.
“The good thing is that relations between the two boards at this time are very good and there is lot of understanding.
I am pretty hopeful the coming series will serve as a milestone and lead to more frequent bilateral ties.”
Sources in the PCB said that when the officials of the two boards will meet, IPL will also feature in discussions as the PCB is keen to see its players be a part of the six edition of the league.
The players auction for the sixth edition will be held in February.
Ashraf admitted that having the bilateral series with India was a breakthrough in many ways as they were elements who did not want to see normal cricket ties between the two countries.
