Zaka Ashraf: No discussions to be done about India-Pakistan series

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf has ruled out the possibility of holding any talks with Indian cricket officials over the restarting of bilateral cricket series between the two neighbouring nations.

Ashraf, the man who took over the PCB chairman’s post from Ijaz Butt a few months ago, was on his way to Bangladesh to hold constructive talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board officials regarding the bilateral series to be held between the two Asian teams.

Ashraf will be attending Sunday’s Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan at Mirpur on Sunday. Just before leaving for Dhaka, the PCB Chairman said, “I have no plans to discuss the resumption of any bilateral cricket ties with Indian board officials if they came to Dhaka.”

The PCB chief believes that there is no point in having a discussion with the BCCI officials regarding an India-Pakistan bilateral series in the near future. He said that the Indian cricket board had made it clear to them that the Indian government was yet to give the clearance to hold any such tournament, so it was needless to have talks.

Meanwhile, Ashraf is set to meet BCB chief Mostafa Kamal in a effort to persuade the BCB to send the Bangladesh team to Pakistan for a bilateral series, which could kick-start international cricket on Pakistani soil.

The Bangladesh government had given the required approval and the team sent by BCB was convinced about the security provisions for players during the proposed three-match ODI series.

But, as everything seemed to go smoothly, the BCB decided to put up additional conditions stating that the tour would require the ‘go ahead’ from the ICC, which has now put a doubt on whether the series will take place.

Currently Pakistan is playing in the Asia Cup where, despite their loss to India in the league stage, they have already made it to the final of the tournament.