India-Pakistan cricket series may be held in England

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The reciprocal India-Pakistan cricket series, to be hosted by Pakistan, could be played in England, which is emerging as the most suitable venue given the Indian board’s reluctance to send a team to Pakistan. Deliberations between Indian and Pakistan cricket officials have seen several options being considered, including the series being played in India and the venues being leased to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This proposal gets around the problem of visiting Pakistan but could face domestic opposition in India.
Similarly, the possibility of playing in Dubai did not go down well with the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI), who felt the Gulf destination’s reputation as the capital of illegal betting could result in the series attracting unwelcome attention. The England option seems the most attractive as grounds could be hired, television proceeds worked out and security is not as daunting a task as it might be elsewhere. An India-Pakistan series is a big draw and England’s cricketing establishment could profit by providing the venues.
The winter’s three ODI and two T20 engagement has broken the ice and the BCCI is looking to restart stalled cricketing ties in full earnest. The small window in December, when the visiting English team takes a break to return home for Christmas and the New Year, provides an opportunity to fit in the series. BCCI sources were quoted as saying that the board was bound to follow the government’s lead in scheduling a cricket series with Pakistan.

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