Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan once again said on Thursday that he is waiting for a reply on the proposed series against India in December.
“We are just waiting for a reply,” said Shaharyar when asked about the likelihood of the series happening given that it’s already the third week of December.
Shaharyar has been playing the waiting game as he keeps on extending deadlines to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI, though, has been unable to get an answer from their government.
The series was scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka after Pakistan refused to visit their neighbours and India were unwilling to travel to the UAE. However, no formal announcement regarding the schedule was made by the two boards.
Pakistan tour New Zealand while India will travel to Australia in January for a series. Under these circumstances, the chances of a series, even a short one, seem improbable.
When asked about the series taking place at a later date, Shaharyar was non-committal. “If you see the situation as of now, we can’t do it. If the series has to take place at a later date, then the BCCI has to propose it. We have waited enough,” he said.
Shaharyar refused to comment on hypotheticals when asked what the PCB’s reaction would be if the Indian government rejects the series. “Let them say it first,” he said. “I don’t want to jump the gun. The only thing I can expect as of today is that the Government of India gives the permission for the series and then we will see what happens.”
Shaharyar, meanwhile, praised England and Wales Cricket Board president Giles Clarke’s role as a mediator. “His involvement helped a lot. I know he tried very hard. He wanted the series to happen. He knows it is important for cricket,” said the former diplomat.
According to ICC’s Future Tours Program, India and Pakistan are supposed to play six series between 2015 and 2023 with four to be hosted by Pakistan.
