In a friendly move, the India Cricket Board (BCCI) has invited PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf to watch the final of the ongoing Indian Premier League on May 27 in Chennai.
“I see the invitation as another positive step forward in further normalising bilateral cricket ties between the two countries,” Ashraf said from London.
He confirmed that few days back he had received an invitation from the BCCI to attend the final of the Twenty20 event.
“The invitation will allow me to undertake a two-day visit to India and I plan to use this visit to have informal discussions with the Indian board officials regarding enhancing chances of restoring bilateral cricket ties,” Ashraf said.
The PCB has already welcomed BCCI’s decision to allow Pakistan’s domestic T20 champion, Sialkot Stallions to take part in this year’s Champions League Twenty20.
Ashraf said that the announcement was a positive development. “We want to play India regularly in bilateral matches and we are willing to talk to them at every level to achieve this. I will be speaking to them on this when I go to India,” he added. India has avoided playing Pakistan in a bilateral series since late 2007.
The bilateral relations between the two nations were suspended by the BCCI after the Mumbai terror attacks in November, 2008.