Not on the cards: BCCI secretary slams door shut on Pakistan-India series
PCB official also admits both teams have packed schedules for 2016
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur. PHOTO: ESPN CRICINFO
KARACHI:
It is hard to avoid talks of a Pakistan-India series in the two countries, but Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur tried to douse the rumour-mill by clearly stating that there is no series planned between the two nations for 2016.
A lot has been said by officials from both sides but nothing concrete has materialised, with the statement further reducing chances of a bilateral series any time soon.
“No series planned against Pakistan this year. India will only play against them in multinational tournaments,” Thakur told ANI.
Pakistan-India cricket series appears difficult: BCCI secretary
Last year, in December, there was a high chance of a short series being played when Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Pakistan but it was not to be.
Thakur also commented on India’s defeat against Australia in the first ODI at WACA in Perth, saying that the visitors were unfortunate to lose the opener.
The Pakistan Cricket Board also seconded what Thakur said, saying that 2016 is a hectic year for both cricketing nations but refused to slam the door shut on the series as emphatically as the BCCI official.
India-Pakistan match needs 'cool' weather, jokes Anurag Thakur
“To be honest, the Pakistan team doesn’t have time for another series as we play a lot of cricket in 2016 with tours of Australia and England,” said a PCB official. “So in terms of the schedule of both boards, a bilateral series wouldn’t be possible.
“However, if the Indian government gives special permission to the BCCI then maybe we can create a small window for it.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2016.
It is hard to avoid talks of a Pakistan-India series in the two countries, but Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur tried to douse the rumour-mill by clearly stating that there is no series planned between the two nations for 2016.
A lot has been said by officials from both sides but nothing concrete has materialised, with the statement further reducing chances of a bilateral series any time soon.
“No series planned against Pakistan this year. India will only play against them in multinational tournaments,” Thakur told ANI.
Pakistan-India cricket series appears difficult: BCCI secretary
Last year, in December, there was a high chance of a short series being played when Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Pakistan but it was not to be.
Thakur also commented on India’s defeat against Australia in the first ODI at WACA in Perth, saying that the visitors were unfortunate to lose the opener.
The Pakistan Cricket Board also seconded what Thakur said, saying that 2016 is a hectic year for both cricketing nations but refused to slam the door shut on the series as emphatically as the BCCI official.
India-Pakistan match needs 'cool' weather, jokes Anurag Thakur
“To be honest, the Pakistan team doesn’t have time for another series as we play a lot of cricket in 2016 with tours of Australia and England,” said a PCB official. “So in terms of the schedule of both boards, a bilateral series wouldn’t be possible.
“However, if the Indian government gives special permission to the BCCI then maybe we can create a small window for it.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2016.