Indian cricket chiefs refuse series with rival neighbours
THE Board of Control for Cricket in India has ruled out a resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan due to a packed calendar.
India were due to tour Pakistan in January this year, but that tour was cancelled following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last November.
Political and diplomatic ties between the countries plummeted following those attacks and the BCCI has repeatedly said a series with Pakistan would only be possible if the Indian government give their permission.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt is currently in India in an effort to resume cricketing ties, but BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said India have no space in the calendar.
“PCB chairman Ijaz Butt met with the BCCI president Shashank Manohar in Mohali and held talks on India-Pakistan cricket,” Shukla said.
“The BCCI has explained to the PCB chairman that India already have a busy international schedule and there is no space in the calendar for a bilateral series against Pakistan for the next few months.”
Immediately after the current one-day international series against Australia, India host Sri Lanka for a Test and limited-over series.
South Africa are due to tour early next year, while the Indian Premier League and ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean are scheduled thereafter.
Shukla said the two boards would resume discussions again later next year.
“However, a bilateral series would depend on how relations between the two countries are at that point in time,” Shukla said.
“Hopefully, the relations are cordial and peaceful and government will give us permission.
“For now there is no possibility of playing against Pakistan.”
