PCB still hopeful of bilateral 'home' series with India

Karachi: The Pakistani cricket authorities have still not given up hope of playing a bilateral 'home' series with India in December in the United Arab Emirates.

According to sources PCB chief Shaharyar Khan had held discussions with the secretary of BCCI Anurag Thakur on the sidelines of the ICC meetings.

"Apparently Thakur made it clear to Khan that while the Indian board had a policy of playing more bilateral matches with Pakistan and Bangladesh he could not make any commitment at this time," a well-informed source in the PCB told PTI.

"Thakur conveyed to the PCB chief that at present there were some internal issues in the Indian board that required to be first sorted out after which they would take up the issue of the series with Pakistan," the source said.

According to the source Khan told Thakur that the Indian board should confirm or reject the December series in October as they didn't have much time left to prepare for the series which could feature one Test, five one-day internationals and two T20 matches.

"The Indian cricket official has assured Khan that they will convey a final decision about the series in next few days and not delay the matter further," the source said.

The PCB informed the Emirates Cricket Board about the schedule of the series and asked them to be prepared.

"The PCB has also made tentative bookings and some other arrangements for the series in the UAE," he said.

Khan, before leaving for the ICC meetings in Dubai, had told a media conference that he didn't have much hope of the series being held due to the prevailing situation between the two countries.