Indo-Pak. series likely in December

The first hints, though remote, of resumption of India-Pakistan cricketing ties emerged at the BCCI’s 85th Annual General Meeting when President Shashank Manohar informed the members, associate and affiliate members that the board has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Pakistan Cricket Board to play a two-Test and five-match one-day series next month.

The last time India and Pakistan played a Test series was in 2007 and both Sachin Tendulkar and Shoaib Akhtar were involved in their respective teams.

The first hints, though remote, of resumption of India-Pakistan cricketing ties emerged at the BCCI’s 85th Annual General Meeting when President Shashank Manohar informed the members, associate and affiliate members that the board has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Pakistan Cricket Board to play a two-Test and five-match one-day series next month.

“We are committed to playing Pakistan in December. It’s not possible to play them in Pakistan and UAE, so we have to look to play the series in Northern India in December,” said Manohar to the members.

Though former and current Pakistan players have urged the PCB not to pursue the series because of BCCI’s lukewarm response to the issue, PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan has repeatedly impressed upon the new BCCI President to execute the MOU and play the series in the UAE.

A planned meeting between the BCCI and PCB chiefs at the Cricket Centre here on October 19 was called off after members of Shiv Sena stormed the BCCI office here, shouting slogans against the resumption of India-Pakistan series.

After his election for the second time as BCCI President on October 4, Manohar had said resumption of India-Pakistan series hinged not only on the decision of the two Boards, but on the decision of the two governments.

When asked if the BCCI will schedule a home series in December, Manohar said: “It all depends on what happens to the proposed India-Pakistan series. We have to get an appointment with the government before taking a call.’’

India and Pakistan have not played a Test series since December 2007 and a one-day series since December 2012.