Cricket: Pakistan could play India in India over the new year

Matches between India and Pakistan are highly anticipated by fans on both sides, with games often sell-outs. Tehy boast a rivalry unmatched in the sport. PHOTO: AFP

MUMBAI: Pakistan and Indian cricketing officials have been working hard behind the scenes and may have managed to find a small window for the two arch rivals to play some matches later this year, Indian news syndicate Daily News and Analysis reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, Board of Cricket Control India (BCCI) officials and counterparts from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had found a small window between December 23, 2012 and January 10, 2013 for the two sides to meet each other in India for one-day-internationals and Twenty20s.

“There is a distinct possibility that we could have a few matches in December-January,” a top BCCI official said.

Meanwhile, PCB CEO Subhan Ahmed said “the Indian team is very busy but we are trying to slot in a few matches later this year.”

The announcement follows PCB chief Zaka Ashraf’s visit to India, where he watched the Indian Premier League final and held talks with his counterpart on furthering bilateral cricketing ties.

If the tour materialises, this would be the first by the Pakistan national cricket team after the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks when ties between Pakistan and India had plummeted. Coincidently, the last bilateral series between Pakistan and India was hosted by India in November 2007.

In continuing signs of a thaw in cricketing ties between Pakistan and India, the BCCI, had earlier approved Pakistan’s entry in this year’s Champions League.