Zaka Ashraf to watch IPL final
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Zaka Ashraf said he had received an invitation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and would watch the IPL final on May 27 in Chennai, more than three years after ties were suspended.
"It is a positive step forward in further normalising bilateral cricket ties between the two countries," Ashraf told reporters in London.
"The invitation will allow me to undertake a two-day visit to India and I plan to use this visit to have informal discussions with the BCCI officials regarding chances of restoring bilateral cricket ties," he said.
The invitation is seen as the second major step towards reviving ties between the two cricketing powerhouses.
Ties were suspended in the wake of the 2008 attacks on Mumbai, which were blamed on militants from Pakistan and left 166 people dead.
The BCCI earlier this month approved Pakistan featuring in this year's Champions League, a tournament between the top three IPL teams and winners from domestic Twenty20 champions from several other countries.
The moves followed a request by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a one-day visit to India last month.
Since taking over in October last year, Ashraf endeavoured to revive cricket between India and Pakistan but without receiving any positive response from the BCCI. However, Zardari's visit seems to have given the process some impetus.
The arch-rivals are due to play this year in the ICC (International Cricket Council) Future Tour Programme but India's hectic schedule is the biggest hurdle to the possibility of holding a series.
Ashraf said he remained optimistic.
"We are positive about it as we want to play India regularly in bilateral matches and we are willing to talk to them at every level to achieve this," he said.
COMMENTS (12)
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No foreign players means the league vil b total flop
I dnt understand y pcb wnts 2 organise ppl..its jus impossible.coz 110% no foreign players vil b cuming
Why only Mr Zaka Ashraf? The IPL governing body should have invited the BIG HEARTED SHAHID AFRIDI as well.
disgraceful when not even one Pakistani player is accepted in ipl how can he go and watch the game over there
Sanity is prevailing, I endorse good terms with India at all forums, Cricket is always a starter!
@Vikas: And You think we want you? neither we need you nor we want to see your face.
we don't want you.
Yeah go and mend yourself in match-fixing. Probably a good chance to make money.
hi, this invitation is send to all cricket heads ,not only for Mr zaka.
@Saad who writes "He would be a fool to go after India boycotted Pakistani players yet again in this IPL, they should have thought about bilateral ties before IPL auctions."
Absolutely agree.
Also, Sialkot Stallions should have some self respect and say NO to Champion's league.
He would be a fool to go after India boycotted Pakistani players yet again in this IPL, they should have thought about bilateral ties before IPL auctions.
Dats some news. Gud for Pak-India bilateral ties esp on the front of sports.