Team Won't Go to India for Series in December: Pakistan Cricket Board
According to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board in 2014, this is Pakistan's turn to play host. For security reasons, Pakistan play their home matches in the UAE.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan on Tuesday confirmed that it will not send its national team to India for a series in December.
"Team won't go to India for a series in December. The BCCI must honour its commitment and play the series in the UAE," Shaharyar Khan said.
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan claimed last week that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had invited Pakistan to play a series in India in December. According to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the BCCI and PCB in 2014, this is Pakistan's turn to play host.
For security reasons, Pakistan play their home matches in the UAE and PCB slammed India's refusal to play a series there.
"There is no justification behind asking Pakistan to play the series in India and there is no security issue involved if the two teams play in the UAE," Khan added.
"There is no question of playing in India. I (am) still awaiting the reason of not playing in UAE," Khan was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Monday.
Speaking about Pakistan's participation at the ICC World Twenty20 scheduled to take place in India next year, Khan stated: "Keeping in mind the security situation, we will have to seek necessary approvals from the Pakistan government for the World T20."
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said last week that due to government restrictions, Team India will not travel to play in the UAE.
Pakistan have played two 'home' series in India and are adamant on play host this time, but the much-awaited December series once again hits a roadblock.
"We went there in 2007 and 2012. This time not again. It is our series and we will play at our home venue which is the UAE," he reiterated. "What is the problem playing in UAE as they had also played their IPL there as well so why not Pakistan series?"
India have repeatedly thwarted the December series largely due to terror attacks, allegedly sponsored by Pakistan. Thakur, a BJP MP, has categorically stated that cricket was impossible in a climate of terror. But things have looked up after Shashank Manohar took charge as BCCI president in October.
After the series with South Africa ends on December 7, India have a month's window to play Pakistan. If the tour gets the government's nod and the Boards agree on the venue and profit sharing, the series will possibly see ODIs and T20s.
(With inputs from Yusra Askari)