India-Pakistan series: We are awaiting Government's response, says Rajiv Shukla

New Delhi: Senior BCCI functionary Rajiv Shukla on Saturday said the Board is awaiting Government's response on the resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan.

The BCCI is awaiting response from the Indian government on the fate of a much-talked-about series planned for next month. While the Pakistan Cricket Board has already got the clearance from its government, India is still waiting to get the government's nod.

"We have already applied with the Ministry of External Affairs. But since (External Affairs Minister) Sushma Swaraj ji is in Malta to attend the Commonwealth Summit, we are waiting for her to come back. The moment she comes back, she will decide about it," Shukla told a news channel.

"The two boards (PCB and BCCI) have already taken the decision. Now it is up to the Indian Government to decide. We are waiting for the Government's nod," he added.

Shukla said sports should be kept separate from political and diplomatic controversies.

"Sports should not be dragged into political and diplomatic controversies. We cannot decide on the series with Pakistan without the consent of the Government. That is why we have written to the Government and awaiting its response. The moment we get the response, we will let everyone know," said Shukla.

Sri Lanka has emerged as the neutral venue for the series, which is likely to have three ODIs and two T20s, tentatively scheduled between December 15 and first week of January.

Both countries have not played Test cricket since 2007 but Pakistan toured India in the winter of 2012-13 for a short limited-over series.