15 February 2005	Tuesday	05 Muharram 1426

NEW DELHI, Feb 14: A documentary on four decades of India-Pakistan cricketing ties is among several steps Indian board is planning to coincide with Pakistan's upcoming cricket tour.

The 15-minute documentary will bring alive some of all-time great matches the two countries have played, an official of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Monday.

"It is going to be a documentary that will trace the Test history between India and Pakistan and is likely to be about 15 minutes long," Amrit Mathur, director BCCI's communication & coordination committee (CCC) said.

It was CCC that mooted the idea of documentary - first venture of its kind by BCCI - and the board's working committee is expected to okay the project here on Thursday.

Mathur said BCCI is in touch with different sports production companies, including Doordarshan, for archival footage. But it is unlikely that footage is available of all matches played since 1952, when Pakistan team first toured India, he said.

"We are in touch with several companies and Doodarshan, but footage of matches before 1986 Australasia Cup in Sharjah is not available, though we are still checking," said Mathur.

It was in that tournament that Pakistan's Javed Miandad hit Chetan Sharma for a six off last ball to win a thrilling match for his country. It has not been decided as to which company the BBCI would outsource the documentary.

CCC is also producing a pictorial brochure on India-Pakistan cricket ties, records and statistics of matches played since 1952, profiles of players and messages of presidents of the two boards.

"It will also contain information on Platinum Jubilee of BCCI's formation," said another BCCI official, while admitting a host of court cases have proved a damp squib to grand celebrations that were planned.

"This brochure will be particularly helpful for journalists who will be covering the series," he added. It is also job of CCC to give accreditation to Pakistani media that will be coming here to cover series as well as coordinate with ministries of external affairs and home for the tour, all of which makes Rajeev Shukla-headed committee a busy one.

The two countries have so far played 50 Tests, with India winning seven and Pakistan 10, with 33 ending in a draw. Of 95 one-day internationals, India have won 33, Pakistan 58 and four matches have ended without result. -PPI