Indo-Pak cricketing ties are set for revival with the BCCI on Monday, agreeing to play three ODIs and two T20 matches between the two arch-rivals, who have not played each other in a bilateral series for close to five years.
The decision to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan was taken by the Board's powerful Working Committee, which met here today, evoking mixed reactions from former cricketers and fans from both countries.
'It was decided to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan by inviting the Pakistan cricket team for a short series in December 2012?January 2013. The modalities will be worked out shortly,' the BCCI said in a statement after the meeting.
Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi will be the venues for the one-dayers while Bangalore and Ahmedabad will host the two T20 matches. The series will be played in December-January.
'The BCCI Working Committee today decided to resume the India vs Pakistan cricket ties inviting them in the third week of December to play three ODIs and two T20 matches,' said senior BCCI official Rajeev Shukla.
'BCCI was firm on its stand that no Indo-Pak series will be held on any neutral venue so it was decided to invite them after December 22 when the England team leaves after playing the Twenty20 Internationals.'
The BCCI has scheduled the short series when England returns from its tour of India for the Christmas break.
'This was the slot where the tour could have been accommodated and we did that accordingly. I have spoken to Home minister, P Chidambaram and he has said that there is no objection on the part of the ministry. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also agreed on having this tour,' said Shukla.
The decision to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan was taken by the Board's powerful Working Committee, which met here today, evoking mixed reactions from former cricketers and fans from both countries.
'It was decided to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan by inviting the Pakistan cricket team for a short series in December 2012?January 2013. The modalities will be worked out shortly,' the BCCI said in a statement after the meeting.
Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi will be the venues for the one-dayers while Bangalore and Ahmedabad will host the two T20 matches. The series will be played in December-January.
'The BCCI Working Committee today decided to resume the India vs Pakistan cricket ties inviting them in the third week of December to play three ODIs and two T20 matches,' said senior BCCI official Rajeev Shukla.
'BCCI was firm on its stand that no Indo-Pak series will be held on any neutral venue so it was decided to invite them after December 22 when the England team leaves after playing the Twenty20 Internationals.'
The BCCI has scheduled the short series when England returns from its tour of India for the Christmas break.
'This was the slot where the tour could have been accommodated and we did that accordingly. I have spoken to Home minister, P Chidambaram and he has said that there is no objection on the part of the ministry. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also agreed on having this tour,' said Shukla.
The thaw in the relations was evident much earlier when the BCCI invited Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 champion Sialkot Stallions to participate in the Qualifying Tournament of Champions League Twenty20 to be held in South Africa later this year.
During the recent visit of PCB chief Zaka Ashraf to India and at last month's ICC and Asian Cricket Council meetings in Malaysia, there had been discussions between officials of both the Boards on the matter.
The process actually started last year during the World Cup semifinal clash between the two sides in Mohali where Prime Ministers of both the countries were present and even met each other on the sidelines.
Although the fixtures of the three-match series is yet to be decided, Mohali and Chennai are the likely venues to host the matches. The third venue could be either New Delhi or Bangalore.
'The matches will be held in metropolitan cities only since we have to take into account the security aspect concerning the Pakistan players. So, the rotation policy will not be followed for the series against Pakistan', a member of the BCCI fixtures committee said.
The series is likely to be sandwiched during the Christmas break in England's tour of India.
The decision to resume cricket ties evoked mixed response from former cricketers in both the countries. While some of the hailed the decision, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar questioned the 'urgency' to revive ties with Pakistan.
During the recent visit of PCB chief Zaka Ashraf to India and at last month's ICC and Asian Cricket Council meetings in Malaysia, there had been discussions between officials of both the Boards on the matter.
The process actually started last year during the World Cup semifinal clash between the two sides in Mohali where Prime Ministers of both the countries were present and even met each other on the sidelines.
Although the fixtures of the three-match series is yet to be decided, Mohali and Chennai are the likely venues to host the matches. The third venue could be either New Delhi or Bangalore.
'The matches will be held in metropolitan cities only since we have to take into account the security aspect concerning the Pakistan players. So, the rotation policy will not be followed for the series against Pakistan', a member of the BCCI fixtures committee said.
The series is likely to be sandwiched during the Christmas break in England's tour of India.
The decision to resume cricket ties evoked mixed response from former cricketers in both the countries. While some of the hailed the decision, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar questioned the 'urgency' to revive ties with Pakistan.