Zaka http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashraf-c46397 optimistic about resumption of bilateral ties with India – Cricket News Update
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf has expressed optimism at the positive signs regarding the recent thawing of relations between the PCB and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying the resumption of bilateral series will not only prove
beneficial for the state of cricket in the country, but also enable the board to strengthen its financial situation.
The sporting relations between the two cricketing nations have been in a deadlock ever since the 2008 terrorist attacks in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820, which led to a freeze in diplomatic relations between the two countries. The last bilateral series between Pakistan and India
was played in 2007 – a series of ODI matches which India won, 3-2. Since then, the two teams have yet to host each other, and Pakistan players have been excluded from the Indian Premier League since the 2009 edition.
The PCB’s efforts to bring about a revival of cricketing ties between the two nations were repeatedly rebuffed by the BCCI, but recent developments, such as the board’s decision to invite Zaka Ashraf to watch the IPL final in Chennai, and the inclusion of
Pakistan’s http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sialkot-c842 Stallions in the Champions League, hint towards an improvement in the relations between the two.
“The BCCI has already taken the first step by including Pakistan’s Twenty20 champions in the upcoming Champions League and during my visit to India negotiations are expected to be held on resumption of bilateral series,” Ashraf said in an exclusive interview
with Pakistani newspaper Dawn.
The chairman also went on to point out that the PCB finds itself looking for ways to improve its financial situation, as the Men In Green have been unable to host matches every since the terrorist attacks on the visiting Sri Lankan team in 2009, after which
foreign teams have refused to tour the country owing to the questionable security situation.
“Our financial position could only be strengthened with either resumption of Pakistan-http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Premier League,” he said.
In addition to the BCCI’s refusal to agree to a bilateral series, the board also faced the refusal of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, which was unable to send their team to Pakistan despite having agreed to tour. The PCB’s latest venture is the Pakistan Premier
League, a T20 tournament modeled on the neighbouring Indian Premier League and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 Premier League, which is slated to kick off in October this year.
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