Still waiting for BCCI's reply on India-Pakistan series: PCB chief Shahryar Khan

New Delhi: The PCB chief Shahryar Khan on Thursday said he is still awaiting BCCI’s written reply on the proposed series later in December besides hoping that the Indian government gives green light to the resumption of cricketing ties in a “day or two”. While PCB has been playing the waiting game by extending deadlines after deadlines for the BCCI, the Indian cricket board has maintained all along that the decision to play Pakistan rests with its government. [caption id=“attachment_2532256” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image from an India-Pakistan match. AFP[/caption] “We are just waiting for a reply (from BCCI),” Shahryar told PTI when asked about the likelihood of the series happening given that it’s already the third week of December. The PCB had put forward tentative dates for the series comprising three ODIs and two T20 Internationals in Sri Lanka: 15 December-4 January or 19 December-4 January. Clearly there is very little time to organise the series and both Pakistan and India tour New Zealand and Australia, respectively, in January. When asked about the series taking place at a later date, Shahryar was non-committal. “If you see the situation as of now, we can’t do it. If the series has to take place at a later date, then BCCI has to propose it. We have waited enough,” he said. What if the Indian government doesn’t reciprocate Pakistan government’s decision and rejects the series? “Let them say it first. I don’t want to jump the gun. The only thing I can expect as of today is that the Government of India gives the permission for the series and then we will see what happens,” said the former diplomat. On the role played by former ECB chief Giles Clarke in the revival of Indo-Pak cricket, Shahryar said: “His involvement has helped a lot. I know he has tried very hard. He wants the series to happen. He knows it is important for cricket.” According to ICC’s Future Tours Program (FTP), India and Pakistan are supposed to play six series between 2015 and 2023 with four to be hosted by Pakistan. Pakistan and India have not played a full bilateral series since 2007 in the aftermath of 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Pakistan, however, had toured India for a short ODI series in 2012. PTI