India’s tri-series plan: PCB must not agree to BCCI’s convenience, says Khalid Mehmood

Former chief asks Pakistan board to give priority to home series.

KARACHI: Former PCB chief Khalid Mehmood has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to give preference to its home series instead accepting any possible invitation of a tri-series from their Indian counterparts.

Two positive reports regarding cricket relations between Pakistan and India made the headlines yesterday – Faisalabad Wolves received visas for the Champions League Twenty20 and the other news was based on reports of a possibility that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was planning to host a tri-series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka in December.

As per reports, the BCCI is looking for a substitute for their tour of South Africa due to strained relations with the host board over the Haroon Lorgat-impasse.

India are scheduled to play three Tests, seven One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20s the South Africa tour in November-December which it wants to cut down or scrap.

Meanwhile, the discussion on the tri-series is expected to take place today in Chennai on the sidelines the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting where representatives of the PCB and Sri Lanka will be present. Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed will represent the Pakistan board.

Reports added that the PCB was hoping for the invitation which it was looking forward to accept.

However, the Pakistan board will have to make changes in their scheduled home series against Sri Lanka in the UAE, involving two Twenty20s, five ODIs and three Tests from December 11 to January 20, if it agrees to the invite.

Amid the scenario, Mehmood has urged the PCB not to compromise on its home series. “We shouldn’t say yes just to suit India’s convenience,” the former PCB chief told The Express Tribune.

“The BCCI never supports the PCB and it will be disgraceful for us to alter our home series for it. “If board agrees then it must not go ahead without long-term negotiation on bilateral series with India.”

Another senior administrator on condition of anonymity said that any agreement of tri-series may also affect PCB’s relation with Cricket South Africa (CSA). “It’s time that we show solidarity with the CSA because we have not had good experiences with India.”

Wolves delighted on getting green signal

Faisalabad Wolves were delighted after uncertainty over their fate for Champions League Twenty20 tournament ended with the issuance of Indian visa. Wolves manager Haroon Rasheed while confirming the approval of visa said his team was looking forward to a positive display.

“It is great news for players,” said the manager before adding that captain Misbahul Haq, Saeed Ajmal and Ehsan Adil also got visa clearance in Harare.

Meanwhile, Wolves’ coach hoped the team will do well in the event. “We have worked on our weaknesses,” said Naveed Anjum. “We have also assessed our counterparts. The conditions in India are similar to ours.”

The side will depart today (Saturday) for the four-team qualifying stage of the event to start from September 17 in which it will face Otago (New Zealand).

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2013.

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