India-Pakistan UAE series in Dec closer to reality

Jaideep Marar 08:14 11/05/2015
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  • Issues: Bilateral encounters between India and Pakistan have dried up.

    Emirates Cricket Board chief David East on Sunday night expressed his delight at the prospect of hosting a full series between Pakistan and India in the UAE in December.

    The Pakistan and Indian cricket boards took another step towards organising a full-fledged series between the two national teams, when their top officials met in Kolkata on Sunday.

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    Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahryar Khan, after his meeting with his Indian counterpart Jagmohan Dalmiya, gave a green signal to the series.

    But the Board of Control for Cricket in India president indicated the series cannot go ahead until the Indian government gave the final clearance.

    “We want to resume India-Pakistan series in the UAE,” Khan said while addressing a joint press conference with Dalmiya.

    “The series will start in December as per schedule and it will comprise three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s. The preparation is on in full swing. But we have to overcome the final hurdle,” he said.

    Dalmiya said: “We are very hopeful of reviving the series. But a few things need to be sorted out. Without the support of the federal home ministry and the government, we cannot go forward.”

    Speaking on the recent development, East told Sport360: “It is nice to be at this stage rather than the series not happening. We have always known that the series might be here. We are delighted and looking forward to it.”

    East, however, added there has been “no communication” from either the PCB or the BCCI so far.

    The resumption of talks between the two boards is a fresh development since they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last year to play five series in the next eight years. The BCCI later released a statement that said it was “desirable to recommence cricket contact” with Pakistan.

    The reluctance of the Indian government to clear bilateral cricket matches against Pakistan due to political tensions has meant the two nations have not contested a Test series since 2007 when Pakistan visited India for a three Test series that they lost 1-0. Pakistan also played an ODI series in India in 2013, which they won 2-1. 

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