‘Pak-Ind series should be an annual fixture’

PCB chief wants a Jinnah-Gandhi series between neighbours.

KOLKATA: The series took a lot of begging and pleading but now that it is taking place after five years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf wants it to be an annual event and not just a one-off.

While the two teams have met in International Cricket Council (ICC) events, relations between the two governments forced cancellations of bilateral series post 2008.

However, Zaka said that deteriorating relations between the two governments should not deprive cricket of this great rivalry.

“Nothing is bigger than a Pakistan-India match and spectators should not be deprived of watching these great teams playing against each other,” said Zaka, during the second One-Day International that was being played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

“People want more and more of these exciting matches between the two countries and we have already floated an idea to the Indian board of having a series along the lines of the Ashes. We can even name it after Jinnah and Gandhi.”

Zaka confirmed that due to good relations with his Indian counterpart right now, he wanted to plan the future against the backdrop of the current series.



“We have built good relations with them and are moving in the right direction. I don’t want the series to be restricted to just five matches. I want this to continue.”

Zaka, despite calling Pakistan safe for international cricket, did add that if India did not want to tour, the PCB was open to having their ‘home’ series in India, an idea that was floated late last year as well.

“Things are much better in Pakistan now. Cities where cricket is played are safe and the government has also assured fool-proof security to touring teams. The time is not far when all international teams will start visiting Pakistan again as we’re enjoying good relations with all boards.

“However, we’re discussing the plan of playing a series in August this year and we’ve also discussed the option of playing the home series in India.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2013.