LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan, while disclosing about a fresh BCCI offer to play the Pakistan-India series in India later this year, expressed his reservations on the same and said he will discuss it with Board patron Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Governing Board before taking a final decision on it.

According to Shaharyar, BCCI chief Shashank Manohar conveyed it to the PCB chief in a telephonic conversation on Friday that India is ready to play Pakistan in India but won’t be able to play the bilateral series at the neutral venues of the UAE in December.

However, Shaharyar during a media talk held on the sidelines of a charity cricket match here at the Bagh-i-Jinnah Ground, categorically referred to the MoU signed by the two countries according to which India is bound to play at neutral venues.

On the occasion, the chairman revealed that the BCCI was also ready to compensate the PCB for the financial losses it will suffer for not hosting the bilateral series in the UAE. “Manohar talked to me over telephone on Friday but the voice was not clear,” said Shaharyar. “However, the crux of the matter was that he said they want to go ahead with the series since the Indian government has permitted the BCCI to play against Pakistan. But he wants Pakistan to visit India for the series.

“Obviously, playing in India as a part of the bilateral series at this stage, when India through the MoU is bound to play at any neutral venues, is the main bone of contention between the two boards,” maintained Shaharyar.

“Secondly, Manohar told me that the BCCI would hold matches at its safest venues like Mohali and Kolkata, where extremist Shiv Sena will not interfere,” the chairman said.

“Thirdly, he (Manohar) was also ready to compensate the PCB for its financial losses it will suffer for not being able to host India in the UAE,” the PCB chairman said, adding that BCCI chief had also expressed his desire for meeting to settle down all issues.

Talking about his reply to his Indian counterpart, the PCB chief said: “I told the BCCI chief that we believe you will come to play in the UAE as per the MoU in addition to clarifying that the PCB still sticks to its neutral venues stance which in this case is the UAE.”

“As for our financial losses, they are to the tune of around US$50 million. And the important thing is that it is not just the matter of one series as Pakistan has to host India six times in eight years,” said Shaharyar.

“At least, you should tell us as to what is the range of revenue we will get if we go to India. Any Pakistani who was visiting India in the current circumstances was not safe from Shiv Sena.”

The chairman, however, said he had asked Manohar to send an official letter with complete details as he was not the sole authority to take any decision in this regard, adding that he would also bring the matter to the notice of the prime minister before taking any decision besides putting it before the board of governors who will be meeting on Nov 17.

“I fail to understand the logic in going to India as the atmosphere in India is very much against Pakistan and you people have also seen what happened to famous singer Ghulam Ali and other Pakistani artists in India,” Shaharyar maintained.

To a question, he said: “We will meet the BCCI for resolving these issues but it remains to be seen what will be the venue for such a meeting.

“Look, if a proposal has come from their side, we will have to give them a reply and let them do what they are doing as our position is solid after signing the MoU.

“Pakistan visited India twice in 2007 and 2012 and now it is the third occasion when India is asking us to visit them. But this time our position is quite strong,” he said.

“Furthermore, it is not a matter of diplomacy as they will have to come to the point. Right now, they have come up with a counter-proposal,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Test cricketer and SNGPL coach Basit Ali also met the PCB chairman at the Bagh-i-Jinnah in connection with the scandal involving batsman Umar Akmal in Hyderabad.

“Yes, Basit came to meet me in connection with the Hyderabad episode and explained what happened in Hyderabad but the PCB is trying to get the police report on the whole incident after which we will move forward. And if the player is not found guilty he will play cricket,” Shaharyar said.

Asked if the PCB had no disciplinary committee to deal with such cases, Shaharyar said the PCB does have a disciplinary body and Basit would also appear before it. Basit, however, avoided the press and left the venue.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2015