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| October 23, 2003 | Thursday | Sha’aban 26, 1424 |
India set to end 14-year wait to play Test cricket with Pakistan: PCB welcomes decision
NEW DELHI, Oct 22: India’s cricket team is set to undertake its first Test tour of Pakistan in 14 years early next year after the government on Wednesday offered to restore full sporting ties between the arch-rivals.
India’s Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha announced the long-awaited resumption of bilateral cricket matches at a press conference, saying “the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will now be happy.”
India, which last played a Test series in Pakistan in November 1989 is scheduled to take part in three Tests and as many one-day internationals during the month-long tour in March.
“The itinerary of the tour will be finalised in consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board,” a BCCI official told AFP.
International Cricket Council (ICC) President Ehsan Mani welcomed the announcement.
“The international cricket community is delighted with this positive step,” said Mani. The India/Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the great rivalries not only in cricket but also in world sport and the resumption of series between these countries is a boost for the game.
“I believe that these matches will help build greater understanding between the two countries.”
The Indian government banned bilateral cricket matches with Pakistan after the 2000 Asia Cup due to political tensions, but allowed the teams to play in multi-nation events like the World Cup.
India played against Pakistan in the preliminary league of the World Cup in South Africa in March, a game that passed off without incident.
While India has not played a Test series in Pakistan for 14 years, Pakistan toured India for three Tests in early 1999 despite threats from Hindu fundamentalists.
The Tests in Madras and New Delhi went off peacefully, but the third at Eden Gardens in Calcutta ended in front of an empty stadium after police were forced to clear the stands following crowd trouble.
The Indian government last month approved a series of cricket matches with Pakistan at the junior level, raising speculation that the resumption of ties at the senior level was around the corner.
An Indian under-19 team will cross the border later this month for a four-nation tournament also featuring Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The Pakistan ‘A’ team will visit India in December.
Sinha said Wednesday the long-standing demand of India’s cricket board “had been fulfilled” by New Delhi’s decision to resume full sporting ties with its estranged neighbour.
His dramatic announcement thrilled cricket fans in India.
“I am very excited because there is nothing better in world cricket than a match between India and Pakistan,” said school-going Venayak Gupta, 14.
The BCCI is expected to react formally to the government’s proposal later on Wednesday.
Our Lahore correspondent adds: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday welcomed Indian government’s decision to allow its team to tour Pakistan next year in February.
“I welcome India’s decision to send its team to Pakistan. We are very delighted and appreciate that Indian government decision to resume bilateral cricket ties “, PCB Chief Executive Ramiz Raja said.
PCB boss Lt Gen Tauqir Zia could not be contacted as he was not available.
“The PCB has always maintained that sports and politics should not be mixed. Cricket can be a good medium to improve relationship between the two countries” he added.
India last toured Pakistan for a Test series in 1989 under Krish Srikkanth while Pakistan’s last tour to India was in 1999 under Wasim Akram. India are scheduled to play three Tests and as many one-day internationals.
Meanwhile Pakistan cricket team coach Javed Miandad on hailed Indian government’s decision to allow their cricket team to tour Pakistan in February next year.
Miandad said that PCB chairman Tauqir Zia and BCCI boss Jagmohan Dalmiya had been struggling for restoration of ties but their efforts were alway hampered by political issues.—Agencies
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