India-Pak cricket? Not much headway in talks

Pakistan Cricket Board has not made much headway in its talks with the BCCI officials over resumption of bilateral cricket ties between both countries, according to a PCB official.

Although PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt and chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad met with their Indian counterparts in Hong Kong last week, no decision was taken on resumption of bilateral ties suspended since the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008.

"The Indian board officials have conveyed that they also want to see quick resumption of bilateral series with Pakistan. But they have said they must first clarify certain things with their government," a board official said.

The official said that the Indian officials, including president Shashank Manohar, had stated that they would get back to the PCB in a few weeks time after getting clarity from their government.

The official admitted that both the Boards had also agreed that the tight schedule of both teams did not allow resumption of any bilateral matches even at neutral venues before next year.

"The next Indo-Pak series will be the scheduled one of Pakistan touring India in March-April 2012," the official said.

He said the PCB would soon be seeking clearance from its government on undertaking the tour that is pencilled into the Future Tours Programme calendar ending in 2012.

"The good thing about the meeting with the Indian officials was that we have got positive vibes from them and a concrete reply that also would like to see resumption of bilateral ties but as is the case with Indo-Pak ties at in every field clarity from the government is absolutely necessary," he said.

The official said that the PCB Chairman and COO had not discussed possibility of splitting the 2012 series between the two nations as compensation for the India not touring Pakistan in early 2009 after the Mumbai attacks.

"This option was not discussed since the PCB also now feels that all proposals can only be viable after the Indian Board confirms it has got clearance from its government to resume bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan," he said.