BCCI seeks government permission for India-Pakistan series: PCB

Last year, India and Pakistan signed an agreement to play six series in between 2015 and 2023. (Source: Reuters)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has told Pakistan’s board that it will seek government permission on whether December’s scheduled series between the two countries can proceed as planned.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said Thursday that chairman Shaharyar Khan received a letter from BCCI president Shashank Manohar saying it has approached the Indian government to get “definitive guidance” on the series in the United Arab Emirates.

Members of the radical Hindu nationalist party Shiv Sena, opposed to relationships with Pakistan, stormed the BCCI office in Mumbai last week, forcing the cancellation of a meeting between the two board chiefs.

“Mr. Manohar has expressed his sincere regrets for the cancellation of the meeting,” the PCB said in a statement. “Under pressure from extremist elements, BCCI canceled its meeting.”

Last year, the two countries signed an agreement to play six series in between 2015 and 2023, with Pakistan as nominal hosts four times.

“It has also been conveyed (to the PCB) that the BCCI has officially approached the Indian government to obtain definitive guidance on the Pakistan-India series,” the PCB said.

The PCB has already said that it had a backup plan in case India refused to play against Pakistan in December, but it still hopes BCCI will fulfill its commitment.

“The PCB maintains that sports and politics should not be mixed and hopes that the BCCI will not be held hostage by extremist elements who wish to sabotage bilateral cricket relations,” the PCB said.