Pakistan will not beg India for cricket series: PCB
Pakistan cricket chief Shaharyar Khan Tuesday ruled out giving an ultimatum to India to play a proposed cricket series, saying if it does not go ahead he will make alternative fixtures.
Earlier this month the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wrote a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking confirmation as to whether or not India would play two Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20 matches in the United Arab Emirates in December and January.
But India has so far not replied and current political tension between the two countries, with frequent ceasefire violations on the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region, has cast serious doubt over the first full series between them since 2007.
Khan said Pakistan will not beg India to agree to the matches which are due to be played in December-January in the UAE.
“I don’t want to give any ultimatum to India but I am going to talk to them on the sidelines of ICC (International Cricket Council) meeting next month,” Khan told media.
“I will tell them that you (BCCI) have not yet taken permission from the government which is unfair and there will be two fall outs of that: one that we are not going to beg.”
Khan further warned Pakistan it will take appropriate action if India does not honour their understanding.
“We will go to the ICC and to the community,” said Khan.
However, the ICC has ruled out any interference, saying the matter is between the two countries.
“It is only fair they tell us so that we can have alternate arrangements,” said Khan. “It (any other series) will not be equal to an Indo-Pak series but we have to reach a decision.”
India halted cricket matches with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, which they blamed on militants based in Pakistan.
Pakistan paid a short visit to India to play two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals in December 2012 but that failed to revive the bilateral series.
In July, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said cricket was not possible under the current strained relationship between the two countries.
News source: AFP
