Ex chiefs advise PCB to stop chasing India for series

Former chiefs of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have advised against continuing talks with the BCCI officials to have the bilateral series with India in December in the UAE.

Ejaz Butt, Lt General (retd) Tauqir Zia and Khalid Mahmood said that after the incident at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai today, the PCB must drop the idea of trying to convince India to play the series in December.

“I don’t know why the PCB is after India to play the series. It is very apparent they don’t want to play with us,” Butt told PTI.

“Shaharyar had asked me to speak to my contacts in India to push for the series. I did and I got a negative answer and I told Shaharyar to forgot about India agreeing to play us in December.

“I will again tell Shaharyar that he should stop chasing India as it has become embarrassing for us,” he added.

Zia also criticised PCB’s stance, saying: “It is strange that the BCCI decided to meet with our officials in Mumbai knowing well the situation in the city due to some extremist elements. I see what happened today as a insult to our board.

“Pakistan cricket has to send a strong message to the Indian board that we can survive without them. If they (BCCI) are causing so many problems about wanting to play at a neutral venue then what can I hope for the future ties.”

Zia called on the PCB officials to return to Pakistan and focus on the Pakistan Super League and inviting other teams.

Mehmood said, “What happened today is shameful and unfortunate. It shows that the Indian board is also not interested in playing with us.”

The former President of the ICC Ehsan Mani has already advised the PCB to ensure Pakistan is not grouped with India in the league matches of the World T20 in India next year in a bid to exert pressure on the ICC to interfere in Indo-Pak cricket matters.

PTI