Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approves Indo-Pak series

The BCCI is awaiting response from the Indian government on the fate of a much-talked-about series. Meanwhile, the home ministry has not received any communication from the BCCI seeking its security clearance for resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan, possibly because the matches may not be held in India. Official sources said the role of home ministry in giving security clearance comes if any international match is being played in the country.

As the India-Pakistan cricket series unlikely to be held, the BCCI has not approached the home ministry, sources said. If the series is going to be held in a third country, the first assessment and clearance have to be given by the Ministry of External Affairs. If the MEA clears the proposal, then the home ministry may send an advance security liaison team to the country where it may be held, sources said.

IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla on Thursday pushed for resumption of cricket ties between the two neighbouring countries, saying the game should not be brought into political controversies. He said both Boards have agreed for Sri Lanka as a venue. As per the agreement, Pakistan and India will play three one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals. Earlier, two Tests, five one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals were scheduled from December 15 to January 3.

Pakistan have been playing their home series in the United Arab Emirates because of security fears at home, but India was unwilling to send its team to the UAE. Sri Lanka emerged as a likely solution after crisis talks over the weekend between PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and his Board of Control for Cricket in India counterpart, Mr Shashank Manohar, in Dubai failed to end the stalemate.

The meeting was organised by Giles Clarke, who heads the International Cricket Council (ICC) Pakistan task force. Mr Clarke has always been in favour of a series between the sub-continental giants. Both cricket boards had signed a memorandum of understanding last year to play at least six series from 2015 to 2023, with Pakistan hosting the first one in December. But all series were subject to clearance from their respective governments.

The BCCI was willing to talk about compensating the PCB in case it agreed to play the series in India, but Pakistan rejected the proposal, saying India should honour its commitment. Pakistan also said India had not made any request about sharing revenue. Pakistan and India have not played a full series since 2007. New Delhi halted all cricket matches with Pakistan following the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, although they did play a limited-overs series in 2012.