India-Pak cricket ties not possible as of now: Pawar

Mumbai:

Newly-appointed ICC President Sharad Pawar says immediate resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan is not possible.

"Immediate ties between both countries is not possible. It is not in the hands of the Cricket Boards..It is a diplomatic issue. This is a decision taken by the Indian government," Pawar said here yesterday.

Asked about demands for the introduction of day-night Tests to save the longer format of the game, Pawar said the "issue has not reached his ear".

"We are only administrators. If needed, I will let the experts take a call (on the issue)," he said.

To a query whether the ICC was mulling to shift its headquarters back to England, Pawar said, "In England, there are 40 per cent taxes while there are no taxes in Dubai. The moment England thinks similarly about cricket we will consider it."

Pawar said he was confident about BCCI President Shashank Manohar's integrity to handle the controversial Lalit Modi issue.