14 February 2004	Saturday	22 Zilhaj 1424

NEW DELHI, Feb 13: The India-Pakistan cricket series scheduled in March and April is likely to be postponed till after the Indian general election, officials said on Friday.

The government was concerned about the security of the Indian cricket players during the proposed tour of Pakistan, an Indian Home Ministry official was quoted as saying on All India Radio on Friday.

According to the official, the ministry would be advising the Board of Control of Cricket for India (BCCI) on rescheduling the matches. The 40-day series beginning March 11 was to have been played in Pakistan.

The official, however, added that the final decision will be made by the BCCI, which is an autonomous body. But BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya was quoted by the Asian Age newspaper on Thursday as saying that the board would abide by the government's advice on the Indian team's tour of Pakistan.

The India-Pakistan cricket series was part of the South Asian neighbours' attempts to thaw relations. The last bilateral series played by the two sides was held in India in 1999. The two have since met during the Asia Cup in Bangladesh and the World Cup in South Africa.

At a meeting held at Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's office late on Thursday night, media reports said members of the government were concerned that the matches could trigger tension during the run-up to elections.

Elections were due no later than October, but are likely to be held at the end of April or early May. The BCCI is likely to make a final decision next week. -DPA