PCB slams Indian media over 'speculative' venue reports for bilateral series

Board issues statement dismissing possibility of playing Pakistan's home series in India

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday dismissed reports in the Indian press that Pakistan was ready to play a bilateral series against India on Indian soil, clarifying that the first series would be played in the UAE as per the MoU signed with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Read: Shahryar Khan proposes home matches in India

"There is speculation in the Indian press suggesting that PCB is agreeable to touring India in December in lieu of the home series in UAE. PCB would like to clarify that PCB remains committed to the MOU signed with BCCI in which India has agreed to play the first Pak-India series in UAE this December," the statement said.

"The MoU specifically states that this series would be played in UAE or a mutually agreed venue. No alternative venue has been proposed by BCCI nor has this issue been raised with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan or by BCCI president Jagmohan Dalimiya and secretary Anurag Thakur during his recent discussions in India," the statement further added.

PCB said that they expect Indian government to forward an approval for the revival of cricketing ties with the series in December in the UAE.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also indicated that his government will support the revival of cricket within the two countries.

Read: Modi wants to use 'cricket diplomacy' to improve ties with Pakistan

BCCI has some issues with the Essel Group backed by Ten Sports and the PCB hoped that they would soon carve out a solution so that the UAE tour can proceed.

Earlier, the Hindustan Times quoted Shahryar as saying that they would 'like to make India their home as it a more viable option economically'.