Government approves India-Pakistan cricket series: sources

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New Delhi, May 13, 2015: The Government of India on Wednesday approved resumption of cricket ties with Pakistan, sources told CNN-IBN, after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shahryar Khan met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

The government reportedly does not have any issues with Indo-Pak cricket series, the first of which may be hosted by Pakistan at their ’adopted’ home UAE since the security situation in Pakistan is not ideal to host India. But there is no final decision on this yet.

India had cut all cricketing ties with Pakistan since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks; however, India did host Pakistan for an ODI series in 2011.

"I would love to watch India play Pakistan. It will be very tough, but off the field we are great friends," said former India wicketkeeper Kiran More.

The two boards have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for five bilateral series over eight years.

"This will help our team to come up," said the legendary Pakistan batsman Zaheer Abbas. "It is going to be a big moment, people all over the world will follow it. This is what we want.

"It’s really good Pakistan and India will be playing, albeit at a neutral ground. I am very happy Shahryar Khan is working so hard towards it," Zaheer added.

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur too expressed his satisfaction over the progress made. "Shahryar Khan met me today in Delhi," said Thakur. "We had a detailed discussion on when and where to host the series, and once it is decided, we will go back to the government for a final go-ahead."


"We are on right track for India-Pakistan series in December after my meetings with Jagmohar Dalmiya, Arun Jaitley and Anurag Thakur," Shahryar said.

PCB’s legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said the news has led to a lot of excitement in Pakistan. "People here in Pakistan are excited. It will be huge series. PCB is looking forward to it," he said.

Zakir Khan, PCB’s Director of cricket operations, said, Good for Pakistan cricket. Shahryar is in India and pushing for the series. It’s a personal victory for him.

Since 2007, India and Pakistan haven’t been involved in a full-fledged tour, largely due to political reasons.