‘We’re open to discussion on other venues for India’
16 May 2015 1:33 AM GMT
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan on Friday said that he was open to other proposals from the BCCI regarding the venue of the proposed Indo-Pak series though the PCB would favour holding it at the United Arab Emirates.
Khan, who recently visited India to make a strong case for revival of cricket ties between the two countries, told ‘Geo Super’ channel that the PCB would think over other venues than UAE once the BCCI officials intimate them regarding this in writing.
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has said that the series proposed to be played in December could also be held in India.
“So far the Indian Board officials have not given anything in writing that they want the series to be played at some other venue. When they do, we will look at it as well,” he said.
Khan said that the PCB had clearly mentioned UAE as the venue for the first of a package of six series signed between the two Boards last year in <g data-gr-id="45">shape</g> of a MoU.
“We have clearly mentioned UAE in the MoU. But if the Indian Board officials have something else to say, they can do it in writing,” he added.
The PCB chief admitted that the BCCI officials had raised questions about who would broadcast the series because of issues they had with the Indian-based Ten Sports channel. He said the PCB was ready to look into the issue.
Ten Sports, which is backed by Essel Group owner Subhas Chandra, has had run-ins with BCCI after they started now defunct rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). The network is reportedly planning to start a rebel T20 league and a parallel cricket set up to the ICC.
BCCI does not want any kind of working relationship where Essel group is involved.
“We have a binding agreement with Ten Sports but if the Indian Board have any apprehensions we will talk to our broadcasters and look at all the legal issues as well,” Khan said.
“The Indian Board is seeking clarifications over the broadcaster and we will look into it.”
He said the issue of Ten Sports broadcasting matches had also been raised in the ICC.
Khan said after his visit to India he was confident the governments of the two countries would give the green signal for the revival of bilateral cricketing ties which have been suspended since 2007.
“The vibes are positive and the reason I went to India was because when the MoU was signed last year there was a different set up in the Indian Board and government,” he noted.
“The two Boards have agreed to remain in touch with each other on the series which is a good sign. Reports about Prime Minister Narendra Modi also supporting the revival of bilateral ties is very good news,” he stated.
Zimbabwe to tour Pakistan as per schedule: PCB chief
The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Friday that Zimbabwe would tour the country after earlier calling off the series due to security apprehensions after an attack on the minority Ismaili community members in Karachi. "The Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket Wilson Manase has called me three times since yesterday to reaffirm that Zimbabwe would be touring Pakistan as per schedule," PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said in Lahore.
Confusion reigned late on Thursday when first Cricket Zimbabwe announced they had opted out of the short tour.
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