The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday that it is still waiting for a reply from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the bilateral series between Pakistan and India in December.
Talking to a group of reporters outside the PCB headquarters in Lahore, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said, “I have asked [England and Wales Cricket Board president] Giles Clarke to bring an answer from India. He is going to call me in the evening to tell me the final reply from the Indians. Then we will decide what to do.”
Asked what is the decision that the PCB is planning to take once they get an answer, he said, “We have taken our decision. We want to play against India. It is their decision now.”
Shaharyar had stated on December 10 that he had written a letter to the BCCI demanding an answer within two days.
However, Indian media had reported earlier today, that BCCI president Shashank Manohar denied receiving any letter from the PCB.
When asked for his reaction on the matter, Shaharyar refused to comment on it but reiterated that a letter had been sent to the BCCI.
The Indian government’s delay on taking a decision regarding the series has already infuriated a lot of people from Pakistan but Shaharyar has said that the series will go ahead if they receive a reply now.
“It will be very difficult but we will manage a series against India if they say yes,” he said.
The Pakistan government gave permission for the series soon after the two boards had met in Dubai with ECB president as mediator. However, the Indian government hasn’t forwarded any reply on the concerned series.
When questioned about PCB extra flexibility on the Pakistan-India series, Shaharyar said the board was not being submissive and just wanted to play cricket.