BCCI offers to host series against Pakistan, says Shahryar

Azad also slammed Pakistan for their desperation to play bilateral series with India, saying that they are ready to play even in deserts. BCCI President Shashank Manohar told PTI that they have not even approached the government yet for clearance and any statement to this effect is not correct. However, he said that to play series in India is something he is unable to understand given the inhospitable situation there.

Sources said the BCCI has already begun talks with the government and a proposal, specifying the dates of the series, has been submitted by the board to the Union Home Ministry.

“We can only start talking if they agree to play in India”, Thakur told ESPNcricinfo.

The cricket board’s chairman stressed that the series should be contested in the United Arab Emirates as per the agreement signed between the two boards. “That creates a security problem for us”.

Meanwhile, Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla revealed that they might speak to the federal government relating to the matter and attempt to get their permission.

Following Shashank Manohar’s appointment, encouraging news for the Northeast is that the BCCI has serious plans of developing cricket in the region which will also include Meghalaya. According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the PCB and BCCI, both countries are scheduled to play six series between 2015 and 2023 after a clearance from the Indian Government.

The PCB chairman said though he personally opposes the visit, a final decision in this regard would be taken after consultations with the prime minister of Pakistan. At the same time, the BCCI chief confirmed his conversation with Shaharyar.

Will an India v Pak series see the light of day?

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday claimed that BCCI has invited their team to play its “home” series in India next month but their Indian counterparts said no such formal proposal has been made yet. Their next assignment is a limited-overs tour of Australia, comprising five ODIs and two T20Is between January 12 and 31, 2016.