Sports

Pakistan will not beg India for cricket series: Shahryar Khan

PCB chief warns Pakistan will take appropriate action if India does not honour their understanding

Afp September 23, 2015

PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/ EXPRESS

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket chief Shahryar Khan on Tuesday ruled out giving an ultimatum to India to play a proposed cricket series, saying if it does not go ahead he will make alternative fixtures.

Earlier this month the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wrote a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking confirmation as to whether or not India would play two Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20 matches in the United Arab Emirates in December and January.

Read: PCB still hopeful of hosting India in Pakistan: Shahryar Khan

But India has so far not replied and current political tension between the two countries, with frequent ceasefire violations on the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region, has cast serious doubt over the first full series between them since 2007.

Shahryar said Pakistan will not beg India to agree to the matches which are due to be played in December-January in the UAE.

"I don't want to give any ultimatum to India but I am going to talk to them on the sidelines of ICC (International Cricket Council) meeting next month," Shahryar told media.

Read: We won’t kneel down before India, says Shahryar Khan

"I will tell them that you (BCCI) have not yet taken permission from the government which is unfair and there will be two fall outs of that: one that we are not going to beg."

Shahryar further warned Pakistan will take appropriate action if India does not honour their understanding.

"We will go to the ICC and to the community," said Shahryar.

However, the ICC has ruled out any interference, saying the matter is between the two countries.

Read: India will reply to PCB in October, says BCCI vice-president

"It is only fair they tell us so that we can have alternate arrangements," said Shahryar. "It (any other series) will not be equal to an Indo-Pak series but we have to reach a decision."

India halted cricket matches with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, which they blamed on militants based in Pakistan.

Pakistan paid a short visit to India to play two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals in December 2012 but that failed to revive the bilateral series.

Read: Misbahul Haq calls for reviving bilateral cricket series with India

In July, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said cricket was not possible under the current strained relationship between the two countries.

COMMENTS (5)

Dad | 8 years ago | Reply @Girish...I would say your comments are offensive and the article spoke about a sporting contest between 2 teams that has nothing to do with religion? Having said that I believe you are here to be a cyber bully personally because you have faced this in your real life. Its quite easy to be a keyboard warrior and to just go with the flow and use current affair news to blame a religion which has rather large following. I hope you understand this and even if you don't much love and Peace!

Girish | 8 years ago | Reply Oh God!! Please concentrate on PSL Mr. Khan and stop bothering us. We simply don't want to play with you guys. Hurriyat can come up with some teams. Go play with them. And yeah you have the OIC where you plan to bring up Kashmir. May be the Arabs will heed to you. Go play with them. You will definitely win and see you can then call yourself the 'Cricket Champions of the Ummah' or may be the 'Champions of the Ummah World Cup'.