Rajeev Shukla Irked at Indian Government's Delay in Coming Out Clear on Pakistan Series

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla on Monday questioned the delay behind resumption of the much-awaited bilateral series between India and Pakistan, and called on the government to take a firm stand on the matter. (BCCI Could Face Legal Ramifications if Pakistan Series is Called Off)

"We welcome the discussions that are happening at the government's level. But why is there a delay in clearance for the resumption of cricket between India and Pakistan. Either clearance should be given or we should be informed that the clearance will not be given, so that there is a clear situation. I just want to know why there is a delay, why they are facing difficulty in taking decisions," Shukla, who is also a senior Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official said. (World Cricket Loses Nothing if India, Pakistan Don't Play a Bilateral Series: Sunil Gavaskar)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gave the BCCI a deadline till Monday to make the final decision on the proposed series, which is to take place this month.

According to the PCB, they would be forced to call off the series if they don't get the nod from the Indian board immediately as the time is not sufficient to make the necessary arrangements. (BCCI Unlikely to Get Government Nod to Play Pakistan in Sri Lanka)

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had already given permission to go ahead with the series in the neutrally-decided venue Sri Lanka.

According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the PCB and BCCI, both countries are scheduled to play six series between 2015 and 2023 after a clearance from the Indian Government.

India have not played a full bilateral Test series with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.