The much-awaited India-Pakistan cricket series could finally see the light of the day after the Pakistan Government today gave the go-ahead to the nation’s cricket board (PCB) to play a short series in Sri Lanka.
A statement from the Pakistan Prime Minister’s office said the PCB could send its team to a “third location” for the series, but only after carefully reviewing the security situation.
“Given the current security situation, the PCB should hold a short series with India at a third location,” read a statement from the PM House, quoting Pakistan’s premier Nawaz Sharif.
The Pakistan Government’s clearance for the series, which is likely to comprise three ODIs and two T20s, came after PCB chairman Shahryar Khan approached the Sharif’s office for the grant of permission to play India in Sri Lanka that would serve as Pakistan’s “home venue”.
Shahryar had directed the PCB not to take any decision regarding the series without the government’s advice. But, the permission from the PM House has now paved the way for the series, at least from the Pakistan side.
However, the PCB is yet to hear from its Indian counterpart as the BCCI is awaiting clearance from the government to finalise the dates. It has been reliably learnt that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has in-principle opposed the bilateral series, keeping in view the deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Since the series will be played on foreign soil, the MHA doesn’t have much role to play and a lot of will depend on how the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responds to BCCI’s request.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is travelling to Malta to attend the Commonwealth Summit (CHOGM) beginning tomorrow and a decision is expected on her arrival the next week. “The BCCI is hopeful of getting the permission once Sushma comes back on Monday. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has officially sought clearance from the government in his letter to the MEA. A positive announcement is likely to take place soon,” said a BCCI official.
In fact, Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajiv Shukla told reporters on Thursday that the series was likely to start on December 15. "India-Pakistan series will happen tentatively from December 15 in Sri Lanka," he said.
The PCB signed an agreement with the BCCI to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. Both countries have not played Test cricket since 2007, but Pakistan toured India in 2012-13 for a short limited-over series.
Sharif’s nod
The PCB can send its team to a third location for the series, but only after carefully reviewing the security situation… Given the current security situation, the PCB should hold a short series with India at a third location. —A statement by Pak PM’s office
Indian suspense
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has officially sought clearance from the government in his letter to the Ministry of External Affairs. A positive announcement is likely to take place soon. — A BCCI official
A statement from the Pakistan Prime Minister’s office said the PCB could send its team to a “third location” for the series, but only after carefully reviewing the security situation.
“Given the current security situation, the PCB should hold a short series with India at a third location,” read a statement from the PM House, quoting Pakistan’s premier Nawaz Sharif.
The Pakistan Government’s clearance for the series, which is likely to comprise three ODIs and two T20s, came after PCB chairman Shahryar Khan approached the Sharif’s office for the grant of permission to play India in Sri Lanka that would serve as Pakistan’s “home venue”.
Shahryar had directed the PCB not to take any decision regarding the series without the government’s advice. But, the permission from the PM House has now paved the way for the series, at least from the Pakistan side.
However, the PCB is yet to hear from its Indian counterpart as the BCCI is awaiting clearance from the government to finalise the dates. It has been reliably learnt that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has in-principle opposed the bilateral series, keeping in view the deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Since the series will be played on foreign soil, the MHA doesn’t have much role to play and a lot of will depend on how the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responds to BCCI’s request.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is travelling to Malta to attend the Commonwealth Summit (CHOGM) beginning tomorrow and a decision is expected on her arrival the next week. “The BCCI is hopeful of getting the permission once Sushma comes back on Monday. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has officially sought clearance from the government in his letter to the MEA. A positive announcement is likely to take place soon,” said a BCCI official.
In fact, Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajiv Shukla told reporters on Thursday that the series was likely to start on December 15. "India-Pakistan series will happen tentatively from December 15 in Sri Lanka," he said.
The PCB signed an agreement with the BCCI to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. Both countries have not played Test cricket since 2007, but Pakistan toured India in 2012-13 for a short limited-over series.
Sharif’s nod
The PCB can send its team to a third location for the series, but only after carefully reviewing the security situation… Given the current security situation, the PCB should hold a short series with India at a third location. —A statement by Pak PM’s office
Indian suspense
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has officially sought clearance from the government in his letter to the Ministry of External Affairs. A positive announcement is likely to take place soon. — A BCCI official
