BCCI awaiting govt permission for Pak series: Shaharyar

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar M Khan Monday said that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is awaiting the permission of its Government for the revival of cricket series between the two countries.

There is no problem from our end (Government) it is the Indian Board which is awaiting permission from its Government and so far it (Indian Government) has not granted permission to its (Indian Board)as far holding of Pak Inda cricket series is concerned he told reporters here on Monday at Gadaffi stadium.

He said Indian Board still owns a MOU which was signed between the two countries for the revival of cricket series between the two neighboring countries told reporters here on Monday at Gadaffi stadium.

This MOU was signed at the time of previous Indian regime and now the BCCI has taken the stance that it is imperative to get the permission of the new Government he said.

BCCI had earlier stated that it would inform us (PCB) regarding resumption of India Pak series and we will be contacting them soon to get latest up date on it he said adding PCB has Plan B in case Pak India series does not materializes but refused to reveal the details of other options.

Chairman PCB reiterated its pledge to keep Pak cricket away from politics with the implementation of performance based culture in the selection of players in the national team.

To a question he said he was initially surprised with the exclusion of Safraz Ahmad from the T 20 team against Sri Lanka but later discovered that the wicketkeeper batsman was dropped not based on any politics as the team management was trying a new combination for the build up of the team.

Answering another question he rated Younis Khan a great cricketer who has still a lot of cricket left in him as he is fit enough compared to a number of young players. I think he can decide his retirement himself as he is still giving his best.

Shaharyar Khan said PCB was in touch with the International cricket council as far as resumption of international cricket is concerned in Pakistan.

The ICC task force on revival of international cricket in Pakistan is seriously working on it and it has assured that Pakistan will be having international ties in its own backyard in due course of time he said.

PCB Chief a number of associate members of ICC including Oman Hong Kong Ireland and Scotland are ready to visit Pakistan and they have asked Pakistan s future cricket commitments.

We will be informing them regarding a window in two week time he said adding Ireland team wants to play with Pak national side not with our A team.

He said the PCB as the first confidence building measure wants to hosts associate countries and then the full member countries.

Chairman PCB said PCB was with no option but to organize its super league abroad as leading cricketing players were not ready to visit Pakistan.

That is why we will be organizing the first edition of our league aboard and then at home when things are conducive to hold international cricket he maintained. (APP)