We are not trying to sideline the PCB: BCCI – Cricket News Update
Terming the widespread belief that the Board of Control for Cricket in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Cricket
Board chief Zaka http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashraf-c46397 to watch the IPL final, was intended as a goodwill gesture meant to prove that both boards shared a “healthy relationship”.
“The invitation is a goodwill gesture from the BCCI telling the world that we’re not against Pakistan or trying to sideline the PCB,” Shukla said while speaking to Pakistani newspaper
The Express Tribune. “We’ve also appointed umpires, commentators and coaches from Pakistan in the IPL which shows exactly that. Apart from that, officials from both boards are in constant touch and we share a healthy relationship.”
The two boards severed ties in the wake of the 2008 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 terrorist attacks, and their teams have not played a bilateral series since 2007. Following the break in relations, the PCB attempted to initiate a revival, with Zaka Ashraf repeatedly approaching
the BCCI with proposals for series. However, his attempts were ignored, and the Indian board came under fire for displaying hostility towards their neighbours, the most obvious snub being the exclusion of Pakistani players from the cash-rich IPL tournament.
The behaviour drew criticism from a host of administrators and cricketers, among them http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292)
from Pakistan in the IPL indicates that there is no hostility between the two.
The BCCI has also recently approved the participation of Pakistan’s domestic T20 champions, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sialkot-c842 Stallions, in the upcoming Champions League.
With the IPL final scheduled to be played on May 27, Ashraf has expressed eagerness to use his visit as a stepping stone in order to initiate talks about reviving bilateral ties between the two nations during his meeting with BCCI chief N Srinavasan. Shukla,
however, advocated a more cautious approach, saying any developments regarding the resumption of ties could only be commented on after the two chiefs had met.
“As far as resumption of the bilateral series is concerned, there may be some hurdles like the FTP schedule,” Shukla said. “But we’ll have to wait until the talks between the chiefs before thinking ahead.”
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