Chances of series’ materialisation very much alive, insists PCB

Board optimistic about Pakistan-India clash despite Shaharyar’s varying statements

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) top hierarchy said it remains hopeful that a bilateral series between Pakistan and India materialises despite ambiguous statements by chairman Shaharyar Khan.

In an interesting development, Shaharyar said there was no talk on the bilateral series during the meeting between Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Speaking to a private channel on the subject, Shaharyar first said that the series was as good as over, and then after a while stated that chances of a green signal were still alive. Moments later, Sushma told media that both countries have decided to resume composite dialogue at the Foreign Secretary level.

Upon being contacted, the PCB officials said the series was still very much on despite Shaharyar’s statements.



“I don’t know why Shaharyar said that chances are as good as over, because the top PCB hierarchy is still optimistic that the Pakistan-India series will happen,” said a senior PCB official.

“It’s strange that Shaharyar decided to say all this on television after it was decided that no one from the board would make any negative statements on the bilateral series, and there were similar instructions from the government as well.”

The Express Tribune had recently reported that the decision of going ahead with the series has been agreed upon by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif, while the board’s top officials were also briefed about the development.



If given a green signal, Pakistan and India will be playing a short series in Sri Lanka from mid-December, and the PCB has already contacted Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).



“We’re in constant touch with SLC regarding the series,” said the official. “The PCB has put SLC on standby because we feel that series will happen and that is the factual ground position. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s announced tomorrow or the day after that the series is happening.”

The official further said that the only problem the PCB and the fans may face will be regarding issuance of visa on time, adding that the country’s board will ensure problem-free logistic arrangements to the best of their abilities.

Shaharyar’s constant U-turns

Shaharyar continues to keep fellow PCB officials and fans of both countries on their toes after offering contrasting statements in a space of days and even hours.



The PCB chief has retracted his words on a number of occasions and it happened again on Wednesday.

Initially, he said that there was no talk on the bilateral series during the meeting between Sushma and Nawaz, which was disappointing. “We don’t have time for the series now. I think it’s a no from the Indian government since there was no talk of the series,” he said.

However, just hours later, he stated on a different TV channel that he is hopeful about the series and if India says yes within two days, the board can still manage to make all the arrangements on time.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th,  2015.

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