Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Dec 17: PCB chief Shaharyar Khan said Thursday that he is still awaiting BCCI’s written reply on the proposed series later this month besides hoping that the Indian government gives green light to the resumption of cricketing ties in a ‘day or two’. So desperate are Pakistan for the series that this is the fourth time they have extended the deadline.
“We are just waiting for a reply (from BCCI),” Shaharyar stated when asked about the likelihood of the series happening given that it’s already the third week of December.
The PCB had put forward tentative dates for the series comprising three ODIs and two T20 Internationals in Sri Lanka: December 15-January 4 or December 19-January 4. Clearly there is very little time to organise the series and both Pakistan and India tour New Zealand and Australia, respectively, in January.
When asked about the series taking place at a later date, Shaharyar was non-committal. “If you see the situation as of now, we can’t do it. If the series has to take place at a later date, then BCCI has to propose it. We have waited enough,” he informed.
What if the Indian government doesn’t reciprocate Pakistan’s decision and rejects the series? “Let them say it first. I don’t want to jump the gun. The only thing I can expect as of today is that the government of India gives the permission for the series and then we will see what happens,” pointed out the former diplomat.
