We won't kneel down before India: Shahryar Khan

PCB chairman says he doesn't mind another delay since no series has been played between both countries for a long...

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan finally hit the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hard by saying that Pakistan won't kneel down before India for a series.

"It does not matter whether we play India or not as already no series has not taken place in so many years," he said, while talking to media at Pindi Stadium late Tuesday.

Shahryar said Zaheer Abbas has gone to India in his capacity as International Cricket Council's president and not as a messenger of PCB.

"We have not asked for Zaheer's help for the revival of Pak-India series. He has gone to India as ICC president but he will inform us about the updates of the series on his return," he said.

Read: PCB seeks Zaheer Abbas’ help for Pakistan-India series

Shahryar said there are 50 per cent chances of the revival of Pakistan-India series which is scheduled to be held in December in the UAE.

"The BCCI has said that they are ready to play a series with Pakistan but they have to get a green signal from its new government," he said.

"We are trying our level best to get an answer of whether it is a yes or no."

Speaking about the revival of International cricket in Pakistan, PCB chairman said he has invited the teams who have qualified for the World Twenty20.

"We are in talks with Holland, Scotland, Ireland, Hong Kong and Oman to tour Pakistan and I am positive for there visit here," he said.

Shahryar said there is one international team which is expected to tour Pakistan in September next year but that will be revealed after everything is finalized.

Read: This is the right time to resume cricketing ties, says Zaheer Abbas

Talking about Shahid Afridi's below-par performance in the National T20, he said though Afridi's performance was not good in the tournament but he can relied upon to lead Pakistan in the World Twenty20 next year.

"Afridi is capable of enormous success and is a match winner who can turn around the game at any stage," he said, adding that the all-rounder has a special place in the team and the board will support him.

PCB Chairman said bonus will be given to the PCB staffers who worked hard to conduct the National T20 tournament in an excellent manner.