Categorically refusing to play Pakistan’s home series against India on the latter’s turf, PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan Tuesday said the neighbouring country’s team will have to play the series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), plain and simple.
Speaking to media representatives here, the Pakistan Cricket Board chief said his team will not visit India at any cost. “This is our series…it will happen as we wish,” he remarked.
“If the series takes place, it will only be held in UAE,” said Khan, urging India to abide by the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in this regard.
Commenting about Pakistan’s chances of partaking in next year’s World T20 in India, he said participation in the mega cricketing event was linked to the government’s authorisation.
Pakistan’s cricket chief on Sunday ruled out the offer of his Indian counterpart to play a proposed series in India, arguing that the current atmosphere would not allow that to happen.
Pakistan and India are due to play a series of two Tests, five one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals in December-January, the first of six that the arch rivals agreed to play under the MoU signed last year – all subject to clearance from the respective governments.
Shahryar Khan led a delegation to India earlier this month to discuss the possibility of the tour but the talks were cancelled after Shiv Sena activists attacked the office of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), protesting against talks with Pakistan.
Khan, the seasoned diplomat who has also served as foreign secretary, had said that Pakistani artists were not accepted in India and there was an incident of protest against former foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri.
The arch rivals have not played a full series since 2007 and although Pakistan visited India in late 2012 for a short limited over series that failed to pave the revival of the ties.
