Batting for the resumption of Indo-Pak cricketing ties, PCB chief Shaharyar Khan said that Pakistan are ready to host a series in the UAE in December.
The series, which will involve three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s, is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two Boards last year and Shaharyar is keen to abide by it.
"We resume India-Pak series in UAE. This is re-beginning of revival of Indo-Pak cricket. The series will start in December as per schedule and it will comprise three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s. The preparation is on in full swing. We have to overcome the final hurdle," Shaharyar said after a
30-minute meeting with BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya in Kolkata.
"I'm very realistic. We still have seven months to go, we both have agreed, the preparations have begun. UAE are ready to hold Tests in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It will be followed by ODIs. We just need to sit out and sort out the minor hurdles," Khan told reporters in the joint briefing at Dalmiya's 12 Alipore Road residence.
"We'll put in our best efforts to start it as per schedule. This is our desire. There are certain hurdles that we've to cross in order to actually hold the series but they are minor ones and we hope to get over that," he said.
Dalmiya sounded hopeful about the resumption of cricketing ties but put the ball in the government's court.
"We are hopeful of reviving the series. Only few things need to be sorted out and obviously without common support we cannot go forward. Without the support of the home ministry and government we can't do anything. At the moment we find no problems. There is no reason for that," said Dalmiya.
"I can't furnish all the details at the moment. There are various things that need to be ironed out but that's only a sheer routine work. As far as India is concerned we're sure... We have to come forward. We have to look into it and once we do that we'll be back in regular cricket," he said.
BCCI later issued a release about a "courtesy meeting" between Dalmiya and Shaharyar at the former's residence.
"The PCB Chairman personally congratulated Mr. Dalmiya on his becoming the president, BCCI, and recalled how cricketing relations had blossomed when they were the heads of their respective boards earlier," the BCCI said.
"Regarding the resumption of bilateral cricket ties, it was felt that it is desirable to recommence such cricket contact. After proactive discussions, since there are certain matters that need to be addressed and considered, it was decided to take appropriate steps. The two Boards would be in regular touch and review the situation," BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said in the release.
"Both Mr. Dalmiya and Mr. Khan were hopeful that positive results would emerge from these discussions," he added.
Since 2007, India have not played a proper bilateral Test series with Pakistan mainly due to political reasons, particularly after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks which led to suspension of cricketing ties.
The two countries played one short series of three ODIs and two T20 matches in India in December 2012 but otherwise they have met only in ICC organised events or the Asia Cup.
In the joint briefing, Shaharyar, who was accompanied by his wife, called Dalmayia an "old friend" and thanked him for playing a pro-active role in trying to resume the most sought-after rivalry in world cricket.
"I am grateful to Dalmiya for hosting me here. I am glad we could start the process again. As per MoU, there will be 5 series between the two countries in 8 years. I have come here to personally congratulate my old friend on his becoming BCCI president and pick up the thread of cooperation.
"My relationship with him goes back a long way when he was BCCI chief and I was PCB chief and we jointly started the 2004 Indo-Pak series. All this was made possible due to the effort of Dalmiya and the cooperation between the two Boards at that time," the 81-year-old former diplomat said.
He said that an India-Pakistan contest is bigger than the Ashes.
"Let me tell you the India-Pak series is more important than any series in world cricket, It is even more important than the Ashes," he said.
"During the India-Pakistan World Cup clash in Adelaide, the tickets were sold out within 20 minutes, such is the craze of this series," he added.
The PCB chief said the situation was improving rapidly in Pakistan and the PCB was hopeful of hosting India may be after two years time.
"Hopefully not this year or two years hence but later on we hope to be able to have an Indian team as in 2004 in Pakistan. So your people can come across and our people too come over here. This people-to-people contact will be the best thing to happen."
He further said ICC in its taskforce report on Pakistan cricket had mentioned the importance of the resumption of Indo-Pak rivalry.
"You may see the report... It's written there that it's essential that Pakistan and India should revive their bilateral series for the interests of cricket as a whole.
"We're constantly in touch with the ICC and they're welcoming it. The ICC report on taskforce in Pakistan has given the mandate on how to bring Pakistan back in the arena. ICC is fully in the picture and they want us to play."
