Pakistan-India series in December not possible now: Shahryar Khan

PCB chairman says the series not materialising is a big loss for the game of cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahryar Khan has given up hope on the Pakistan-India series in December after the NSA level talks between both the countries collapsed.

"We were very hopeful that a lot of ice would melt with the NSA level talks and it would help cricket but unfortunately things are not looking good now for the series in December," said Shahryar, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Shahryar was optimistic that if the Indian government said yes to the idea the series would be materialised but according to him the neighbours have different ideas.

"The series with India does not look possible now and it is a big loss for cricket but we will try although I do not think it will lead to anything. We have always said that politics and sports should be kept apart. But apparently India does not think this way," he said.

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Anurag Thakur said in a tweet on Saturday that there will be no revival of cricketing relations as allegedly Pakistan is harbouring Dawood Ibrahim and making attempts to indulge in dialogue with separatist leaders.

Dawood in Karachi. NSA wants to meet separatists here. Are you really serious about peace and you expect we'll play cricket with you?

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 22, 2015

Shahryar further added that he had met and briefed the national security advisor to the Pakistan Prime Minister, Sartaj Aziz, on the existing situation in Indo-Pak cricket relations and asked him to take up the issue with the Indians.

The PCB chief, who has remained High Commissioner in India, said, "We have to now seriously look at a plan B for a series in December because we were supposed to host India in this period. We do not have many options but those we do we will work on them."

Pakistan and India have not faced each other for a full bilateral Test series since 2007 although Pakistan did tour India in the winter of 2012/13 to play three ODIs and two T20 matches.

The MoU has been signed between both countries to play a series but since the agreement was signed during the regime of the previous Indian government, Pakistan is asked to wait for the government’s approval by the Indian board officials.