Cricket diplomacy: India to host Pakistan for T20s,ODIs

Chennai,Kolkata and Delhi will host the 3 ODIs against Pakistan,said BCCI. Bangalore and Ahmedabad will be the venues for the two T20 matches.

Watch Video: Indo-Pak cricket ties to resume

The decision to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan was taken by the Board’s powerful Working Committee,which met here today,much to the delight of cricket fans on both sides of the border.

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“It was decided to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan by inviting the Pakistan cricket team for a short series in December 2012-January 2013. The modalities will be worked out shortly,” the BCCI said in a statement after the meeting.

The planned series is,however,subject to government approval.

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“The government is ready in principle to host the Pakistan team”,a top BCCI official said.

The ties had been snapped after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and there have been several attempts by the Pakistan Cricket Board in recent months to convince the BCCI for a resumption as the contests featuring the two arch-rivals are a huge hit with fans and generate good revenue.

India and Pakistan last played in a bilateral series in November 2007. The series was clinched 3-2 by India.

The PCB was keen on hosting India to end the international isolation that came with the 2009 Lahore terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers.

But with the BCCI reluctant to agree to such an idea because of security concerns,PCB was also willing to play on neutral venue.

The resumption of cricket ties also got a boost after the foreign secretaries of both the countries asserted that sporting relations should be strengthened.

The thaw in the relations was evident much earlier when the BCCI invited Pakistan’s domestic Twenty20 champion Sialkot Stallions to participate in the Qualifying Tournament of Champions League Twenty20 to be held in South Africa later this year.

During the recent visit of PCB chief Zaka Ashraf to India and at last month’s ICC and Asian Cricket Council meetings in Malaysia,there had been discussions between officials of both the Boards on the matter.

The process actually started last year during the World Cup semifinal clash between the two sides in Mohali where Prime Ministers of both the countries were present and even met each other on the sidelines.

Although the fixtures of the three-match series is yet to be decided,Mohali and Chennai are the likely venues to host the matches. The third venue could be either New Delhi or Bangalore.

“The matches will be held in metropolitan cities only since we have to take into account the security aspect concerning the Pakistan players. So,the rotation policy will not be followed for th series against Pakistan,a member of the BCCI fixtures committee said.

The series is likely to be sandwiched during the Christmas break in England’s tour of India.

The decision to resume cricket ties evoked mixed response from former cricketers in both the countries. While some of the hailed the decision,former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar questioned the “urgency” to revive ties with Pakistan.

Former Pakistan players welcome resumption of ties with India

Karachi

Pakistan cricket fraternity today welcomed the announcement of resumption of bilateral ties with India,saying the on-field contest between the two nations was the “biggest spectacle” in world cricket.

India and Pakistan last played in a bilateral series in 2007 as they the cricketing ties between them froze following 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack.

The BCCI today decided to invite Pakistan for a short ODI series in December this year.

Former Test captain Zaheer Abbas said,”It is something that should have happened earlier because when these two teams play the world watches and there is no bigger spectacle or advertisement for the sport.”

Another former Test captain and also a senior PCB official Javed Miandad said he was delighted to hear about the BCCI invitation.

“I am really happy because I know for a fact that the PCB Chairman has been making hectic efforts to convince India to play a bilateral series. I am happy this is happening and it will be great for India and Pakistan but also for world cricket,” Miandad said.

Miandad,who has toured India as player and coach,said a tour to India was always special for Pakistani players as they were warmly welcomed in India.

Asif Iqbal,however,sounded a word of caution.

“I am happy that finally it looks like Pakistan and India will be playing a bilateral series and it is a good start but I would still urge a word of caution keeping in mind the relations between the two countries,” Iqbal told a Pakistani news channel.

He pointed out that there was still some time remaining before the series in late December.

“I have always said Pakistan and India must play regularly. Unfortunately this has not happened. But I know for a fact that Indo-Pak matches are no less iconic than the Ashes,” Asif said.

“Eventually if regular bilateral ties are held it will help young players from both countries and also help improve relations on a broader level,” he added.

Former Test opener and ex-selector Aamir Sohail said the BCCI invitation was a big step forward in improving relations between the two countries.

“For now Pakistan should be happy playing in India but in near future India should also tour Pakistan for a bilateral series. If they come I am sure other countries will be persuaded as well to help Pakistan board revive international cricket in the country,” Sohail said.

He said that once the BCCI had invited Pakistan for the Champions League it was a matter of time before the ice broke.

“The intense diplomatic and board to board level contacts behind the scenes has paid dividends,” he said.

Former Test leg-spinner Abdul Qadir said,”I know that when cricket is played regularly between Pakistan and India it does have a positive trickle down effect on the people that is why I have been saying it is important to have Indo-Pak contests.

Former Test pacer Sarfaraz Nawaz said Pakistan must also now start planning to host India at home.

“If India comes,be assured other teams will also come. But for now it is just good news for the sport that we will be playing a bilateral series after such a long time.”