After CLT20 nod, PCB hopeful of resumption of bilateral ties with India

The PCB on Saturday exuded confidence that India would soon resume bilateral cricket ties between the two nations after the BCCI allowed Pakistan to take part in the Champions League T20 competition later this year.

"We have been in touch with the BCCI for the last two months over the issue of Pakistan being allowed in the Champions League," PCB chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmed told PTI.

"Finally our fruits have borne some results because we are delighted with today's positive announcement from the BCCI," he said.

Pointing out that Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2007, Ahmed said the PCB would now speed up its efforts to convince the BCCI to also restore bilateral ties.

"We see this announcement by the BCCI as the first ice beaker. We are encouraged that things will only improve from here. We have said before we are willing to play India even in India first for the sake of resuming bilateral ties," he added.

During its working committee meeting in Chennai, the BCCI announced that Pakistan would be allowed to send its national T20 team for the Champions League.

The governing board of the Champions League that includes the South African and Australian boards will have to ratify BCCI's recommendation at its meeting later this month.

After the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, India had suspended all bilateral ties with Pakistan which has resulted in no Pakistani participation in the Champions League since its inception in 2009 and also no Pakistani player being invited for the lucrative Indian Premier League.

Ahmed said that indications were that after allowing Pakistan to send its national T20 winners for the Champions League, the BCCI would also allow Pakistani players to play for franchises in the IPL season six.

"We are looking eagerly towards having bilateral ties soon. It is very important that Pakistan and India have regular series in the FTP (Future Tours Programme) for the global growth of the sport," he added.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on a recent private visit to Karachi had told Geo News channel that Pakistan would soon hear some good news about the Champions League and apparently he has lived up to his promise.

Ahmed said since PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf took charge last October, he has laid a lot of emphasis on restoring bilateral relations with India and bringing back international cricket to Pakistan.

"It is a positive development that a team from Pakistan will be seen in the Champions League for the first time since it started," he added.