SPORTS NEWS

BCCI invites Pak team for 3-match ODI series in December

Indo-Pak cricketing ties are set for renewal with the BCCI on Monday approving to a three-match ODI series connecting the two arch-rivals, who have not played each other in a mutual series for close to five years.
The choice to continue cricketing ties with Pakistan was taken by the Board's powerful Working commission, which met here on Monday, much to the enjoyment of cricket fans on both sides of the border.
"It was decided to continue cricketing ties with Pakistan by friendly the Pakistan cricket team for a short series in December 2012–January 2013. The modalities will be worked out shortly," the BCCI said in a report after the meeting.
The planned series is, conversely, subject to government agreement. "The government is ready in opinion to host the Pakistan team," a top BCCI official said.
The ties had been snapped after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and there have been numerous attempts by the Pakistan Cricket Board in recent months to talk into the BCCI for a resumption as the contests featuring the two arch-rivals are a huge hit with fans and create good profits.
India and Pakistan last played in a mutual series in November 2007. The series was clinched 3-2 by India.
The PCB was fanatical on hosting India to end the international separation that came with the 2009 Lahore terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers.
But with the BCCI hesitant to agree to such an idea because of attack concerns, PCB was also ready to play on neutral venue.
The carrying on of cricket ties also got a improve after the overseas secretaries of both the countries asserted that sporting relationships should be strengthened.
The thaw in the relations was apparent much earlier when the BCCI invited Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 champion Sialkot Stallions to put in the Qualifying Tournament of Champions League Twenty20 to be held in South Africa later this year.
throughout the recent visit of PCB chief Zaka Ashraf to India and at last month's ICC and Asian Cricket Council meetings in Malaysia, there had been thought between officials of both the Boards on the issue.
The process in fact started last year during the World Cup semifinal fight between the two sides in Mohali where Prime Ministers of both the countries were there and even met each other on the sidelines.
even though the fixtures of the three-match series is so far to be decided, Mohali and Chennai are the possible venues to host the matches. The third venue could be either New Delhi or Bengaluru.
"The matches will be detained in municipal cities only since we have to take into report the security aspect concerning the Pakistan players. So, the turning round policy will not be followed for th series against Pakistan, a member of the BCCI fixtures committee said.
The series is likely to be sandwiched during the Christmas break in England's tour of India.
The judgment to resume cricket ties evoked mixed reaction from former cricketers in both the countries.
While some of the hailed the choice, former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar questioned the pressure to revive ties with Pakistan.