Ashraf reconsiders bilateral series talks
BCCI’s reluctance prompts PCB chairman to take a step back.
KARACHI:
Pakistan may only be pitted against arch-rivals India in multi-nation events as the country’s cricket board has seemingly decided to avoid talks for the revival of bilateral series between the two teams.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), disheartened at the continued reluctance shown by their Indian counterparts, has pushed for the revival after relations between the two governments were strained in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks in 2008.
PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf, who took over the post from Ijaz Butt in October last year, renewed attempts for the sake of ‘die-hard fans’ on both sides of the border and even offered sending the team to India.
However, Ashraf, who will be in Dhaka to witness the teams contest their Asia Cup fixture, has ruled out the possibility of talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“There’s no use of asking India any further,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “Their board doesn’t want to play with us and that’s clearly understood.”
Meanwhile, Ashraf is also expected to meet the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over their team’s proposed tour of Pakistan next month.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2012.
Pakistan may only be pitted against arch-rivals India in multi-nation events as the country’s cricket board has seemingly decided to avoid talks for the revival of bilateral series between the two teams.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), disheartened at the continued reluctance shown by their Indian counterparts, has pushed for the revival after relations between the two governments were strained in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks in 2008.
PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf, who took over the post from Ijaz Butt in October last year, renewed attempts for the sake of ‘die-hard fans’ on both sides of the border and even offered sending the team to India.
However, Ashraf, who will be in Dhaka to witness the teams contest their Asia Cup fixture, has ruled out the possibility of talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“There’s no use of asking India any further,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “Their board doesn’t want to play with us and that’s clearly understood.”
Meanwhile, Ashraf is also expected to meet the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over their team’s proposed tour of Pakistan next month.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2012.