PCB will boycott BCCI if UAE series cancelled: Shahryar Khan

PCB chairman says if India does not respect the MoU then Pakistan has the right to act accordingly

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan has reportedly decided to take a stern stance against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by boycotting them in the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council tournaments if they officially refuse to play the series scheduled for December in the UAE.

In a hard-hitting statement, Shahryar said it was disappointing that until now the BCCI had not even sought permission for the December series from the concerned ministry in India.

"Nothing is final or decided as yet but if the Indian Board officially backs out of the series, then we have the option of boycotting all matches against them in ICC and ACC events as well," Shahryar was quoted as saying by Express newspaper.

PCB chief said the BCCI should reply to the letter that they sent regarding the status of the proposed series.

He said that with December approaching, the BCCI needs to come out with a clear reply to the letter sent by the PCB regarding the status of the proposed series.

"I sent the letter on 28 August and I am still waiting for a reply. They (the BCCI) should tell us whether they want to play the series or not. Because if they say they don't have government clearance and refuse to play the series, then we reserve the right to act against the Indian Board for not honoring an agreement at every level," Shahryar said.

Shahryar said Pakistan is ready to consider several option one of which is boycotting India in the ICC and ACC events if India backs out of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the PCB.

"I am not saying we have decided to do this or we will do it but certainly if we don't get to host our home series in December, then we have to consider appropriate action as well," he said.

India and Pakistan have not played against each other since 2007, the last time the two countries played a proper bilateral Test series.

Pakistan toured India in late 2012 for a short one-day series, and apart from that tour, the two countries have only played against each other in ICC or ACC events.