next week and I can say that we should know once and for all whether the series is going ahead or not by the time the ICC meetings conclude in Dubai,” Shaharyar said.
“We have signed a MoU for the series and it is the moral and legal obligation of both parties to fulfill the commitment. We are ready and hope that the Indians are willing too.”
The PCB-BCCI talks will take place in Dubai next week where the ICC Board will gather at the global body’s headquarters on 12 and 13 October for the final round of meetings of 2015.
In the lead up to these meetings, various other committee meetings, including the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meeting, will also take place.
On the top of the ICC Board agenda is the future structure and scheduling of bilateral cricket.
Shaharyar is also hoping that the ICC will also back PCB’s efforts to save the series which is supposed to include two Tests, five One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 games.
“It was agreed by all (bilateral matches),” he said.
India had agreed to play six Test series with Pakistan between 2015-2023 after the PCB bowed to the ICC reforms last year which handed hefty powers, and revenues, to the so-called big three — India, Australia and England. But all the series were subject to clearance from the respective governments.
While Shaharyar continues to show his never-say-die attitude, very few in the Pakistani cricket fraternity believe that PCB can make the series happen.
The general view is that the Indians hold all the cards and the only thing PCB can do is to keep requesting them.
Shaharyar has hinted at the possibility of Pakistan boycotting India at ICC events or asking for compensation but it’s highly unlikely that the PCB will decide to act upon such threats considering that it could cause more harm than good to the cause of Pakistan cricket.