LAHORE – As a follow up to the talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, India has decided, in principle, to resume bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan, the Press trust of India news agency reported.
Government sources said the time of the visit, the venues of the matches and other logistical issues would be decided. Sources said if everything goes according to the plans, the Indian cricket team will visit Pakistan first and the Pakistanis will then pay a return visit.
However, there is no slot available for the Indian cricket team to visit Pakistan in the immediate future. According to the Future Tour Schedule prepared by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan could visit India for a three tests and five One Day International series in March 2012.
When contacted, BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla and chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said they were not aware of any decision to resume bilateral cricketing ties. Before the World Cup semi final match at Mohali on March 30, India last played Pakistan in an Asia Cup match in June 2010 at Dambula in Sri Lanka.
The last bilateral cricket series between Pakistan and India was held in 2007-2008, when the Pakistani team had visited India.
