Shaharyar proposes home matches in India

Published May 24, 2015
“We would like to make India our home. India will be more cost-effective,” says PCB chief Shaharyar Khan. — Reuters/File
“We would like to make India our home. India will be more cost-effective,” says PCB chief Shaharyar Khan. — Reuters/File

NEW DEHLI: The south Asian neighbours may not share the best of relations but Pakistan would like to play their home matches in India, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shaharyar Khan said.

Top Test playing nations have shunned Pakistan since the 2009 attack on the visiting Sri Lankan players in Lahore with the PCB instead playing the majority of their home matches in the United Arab Emirates.

The PCB have managed to coax Zimbabwe into touring Pakistan this month for a brief limited over series which is currently underway.

“We would like to make India our home,” Shaharyar told the Hindustan Times newspaper. “India will be more cost-effective,” he said, adding Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have also offered to host home matches.

India cancelled bilateral cricket series with its neighbour after militants killed 166 people in Mumbai in 2008 but hosted Pakistan in 2012-13 for a short limited over series.

Khan visited India earlier this month and said the neighbours are likely to play a full series in the United Arab Emirates in December.

While cricketing relations maybe thawing, political tensions still exist.

The duo have gone to war three times since their independence in 1947 and the prospect of Pakistan playing their home matches across the border is likely to meet with political opposition in India.

“We will cross that bridge when we come to it,” Khan said.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...