KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf, in an effort to resume bilateral cricket ties with India, has asked chairman Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) N Srinivasan if India would be willing to play host to Pakistan’s home series in the future.
According to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, Ashraf told Srinivasan that Pakistan would be willing to play its future home series on Indian soil if the Indian board was ready to host them.
Ashraf also told the Indian board President and ICC President, Sharad Pawar, that if India agreed to host Pakistan's 'home' matches the PCB would pay for all the expenses involved in the venture.
Recently Misbahul Haq also called for resuming bilateral cricket ties with India, saying that It would benefit not just the two countries but the world of cricket too.
Earlier, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif also called for reviving cricketing ties between Pakistan and India to help improve relations between the two countries.
BCCI has avoided any bilateral cricket relations with Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and since 2009, foreign teams have refused to tour the country due to security concerns, forcing Pakistan to play all home series at neutral venues like the UAE, England and New Zealand.
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How about 3 ODIs one each in Lahore , Amritsar & Mohali . It may be easier from the security point of view .
this should not happen. its pakistan home series it should be held in pakistan but because of security reasons then it should be held IN a neutral territory
I just don't understand, specially under the present situation of law and order in the country why some of the people including the prime minister and current PCB cheif keep convincing and begging foreign cricket teams (India in particular) to tour Pakistan. I simply doubt their saneness. Don't they see what is happening in Karachi or even in Lahore? Just one more mishap can take the cricket away from Pakistan for ever. For God sake have some mercy on Pakistan now.
@Farz:
People will not watch a Pak-Sri Lanka match as much as an Indo-Pak match.
wow PCB must be desparate for cash
To be honest, its a good idea and if BCCI agrees, it would be a coup for PCB and it would definitely help Pakistan or PCB's finances as well. But must BCCI agree ...as an Indian I am not in favor of hosting Pakistan's home series.
Proved himself to be a typical PPP politician
Sharad Pawar holds the key for approval and sitting in Maharashtra where Shiv Sena call the shots, there is remote chance that PCB's proposal would see the light.
I really love the fact how desperate we have become in every field, begging others for trade, aid and sports. And I am also supportive of BCCI's arrogance and the disgust being shown by fellow Indians. I guess we deserve to be in the mess we are in right now.
People cannot understand why the PCB now wants to stage its "Home Series" in India when Dubai is the SECOND HOME of the Pakistani Cricketers. . Thinking Cap "ON" . Ahhhhhhh! The Advertising Revenue and Gate Collections in Dubai are a fraction of that in India and as such the PCB wants the Pakistani "Home Series" to be played in India. Most probly the last Pakistan Vs England "Home Series" in Dubai has either lost Money or made very meagre Profits. . The same would hold good if the Pakiistani "Home Series" were to be played in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka . BCCI is weary of Cricketing Relations with Pakistan or PCB as the Issue of Terrorism emanation from Pakistan - allbeit the "State" or "Non-State" Actors!. . However, PCB has now thought of a new "Bait". May be the PCB and Pakistan's Highly Enthusiastic Cricket Supporters will be able to prevail upon the Pakistani Government to put an end to the Terrorists - State or Non-State - operating from Pakistan . Let us see "How the Cookie Crumbles" . Cheers
Zaka has lost it completely
good idea peace for all war for none.
Current local national T20 tournaments and response of the people proved a major point that Cricket will never die in Pakistan irrespective of the fact that the world teams wants to play in Pakistan or not. Instead of begging, I guess it would be a lot better to explore possibilities of innovating national cricket only. PCB should also now decide that it will play with only those International teams who are willing to play on its soil as well. Tournaments/tours to countries that are not in favour of playing in Pakistan should be banned till they reconsider their stance against us.
Its a tough call, and the road is full of challenges but earning dignity is not something that comes easy. This will also give us some time to work on the ethics, morality and professionalism of our players and officials.
Pakistan Paendabad.
I thought Sri Lanka would play host to our 'home' series against other teams..?
Sri Lanka is the wise choice NOT India. PCB at it's worst right here folks.
Why are you so desperate for this silly game? Urging,begging and issuing threats.
Welcome Home!!
while it is a romantic idea but who will come to watch the matches? ofcourse India is not going to grant thousands of visas for pakistani viewers and it is unlikely that opposing team will have visitors in great numbers as well.
good idea mr ashraf but it is not practical.
The is the craziest thing I have heard since Butt was the Chairman! How do you expect any team to come to Pakistan if you are asking BCCI to host your home games in India? Oh come on!
@asif: The financial arrangement between BCCI and PCB has nothing to do with Shiv Sena's attitude towards Pakistan. This article covers that aspect (the home team covers expenses and gets the broadcast and stand revenues). Shiv Sena is likely to protest against the Pak team playing even if this were an India home series - so a potential match is unlikely to take place in Mumbai (unfortunate). However, who ensured the team security during the World Cup?
Zaka Ashraf has gone crazy, who will guarantee the security of the Pakistani side? Shiv Sena ???
What? Excuse me?
Dream on, they don't want ur players to visit their country and play IPL and u think they would play a series in Pakistan. BCCI top brass has ensured that all the efforts to resume intl cricket in Pakistan gets wasted. They are badly biased. Appropriate response would be wait for the right time than begging all the time. Our cricket easily has the strength to survive on its own.
I am both surprised and shocked.