JOIN USThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may be relieved at the revival of bilateral cricket ties with India but that would not stop it from sending a delegation across the border to “take stock” of the security arrangements for Pakistan team’s tour next month.
PCB chief Zaka Ashraf said that the Board welcomed the BCCI announcement that it had got clearance for the tour that begins on December 25 — the first bilateral series between the two teams since late 2007.
“It is a great development and we are confident the revival of bilateral ties will also help improve relations between the two countries and increase people to people contact,” he said.
Ashraf said that since assuming office he had focused on restoration of bilateral ties with India and efforts had paid dividends.
“We are happy to be sending our team to India and we are hoping this new beginning will continue on a regular basis. The way I see it during the current tenure we have reached an unprecedented level of understanding with the Indian board.”
“We don’t see the series being played in India or Pakistan we just see it as a series to revive friendship,” he added.
Ashraf, however, said that the PCB, after consultations with its government, would send a security delegation to India to asses the arrangements there.
“We have full confidence in the security and arrangements being made by the Indian board but the delegation will be going there to take stock and coordinate things with them,” he said.
Ashraf also admitted that India had a influential role in International cricket and that is why he had pushed for the revival of bilateral ties.