England backs revival of Pakistan-India series: Shaharyar

E-Paper | July 02, 2026

DUBAI: Pakistan cricket chief Shaharyar Khan Friday said England supported the resumption of bilateral ties between India and Pakistan stalled for seven years due to strained relations.

Pakistan and India are scheduled to play two Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20 matches in United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month but the series is under serious doubt after a deadlock between the two boards.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last week invited Pakistan to play the matches on their grounds but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insisted the series should be held in UAE, under the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year.

The six series between 2015 to 2023 -- four to be hosted by Pakistan -- were all subject to clearance from the respective governments.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) president Giles Clarke is also supporting the series.

“Former ECB chairman Giles Clarke (now president of the ECB) is also making an effort (for India-Pakistan series) and he is also of the opinion that the series should be held for the interest of cricket,” Khan told media on the sidelines of fourth day-night international between Pakistan and England.

“Clarke believes that a Pakistan-India series is vital for the game and he is also talking to the BCCI chief and I have told him that he has no need to convince us, convince the BCCI.”

Khan said Clarke was due to arrive in Dubai on Saturday while BCCI chairman Shashank Manohar -- also the new chairman of the International Cricket Council -- is also in the city.

“I have no meeting scheduled with Manohar but if he asks for a meeting then we can meet,” said Khan.

“Lets see if Clarke makes the effort and comes here tomorrow.”

Khan said the Indo-Pak series is now a matter for Islamabad to decide with Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif directing the PCB not to take any decision without the government's advice.

“Now the matter is political because the advice from the PM is that the final decision will be made by the government only. We have put that before the BCCI,” said Khan, a former foreign secretary.

“We always wanted this series to happen right from the start, If India is not accepting what they have signed in the MoU then if doesn't happen then so be it.”

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GNR

Nov 20, 2015 10:33pm

Yes every country wants to ensure Indo Pak resume bilateral series. India and Pak both don't have any issues i.e., political with all the rest of the countries, while between India and Pak the story is quite different. With so much tension around the border and on political front, unfortunately not possible to say 'keep sports and politics' separate...both are intertwined.

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Nov 20, 2015 10:36pm

Its clearly evident PCB is trying to push BCCI for series continuously at the expense of self respect.

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Nov 20, 2015 10:38pm

This is not pre 1947.

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indian

Nov 20, 2015 10:40pm

like a kashmir bilateral issue...........england says its india-pak bilateral series, so no third party can interfere.,,,,,,, now pcb will go to the UN.

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rish

Nov 20, 2015 10:40pm

We know that PCB and BCCI have no real control over bilateral engagements. It is the governments that make the decisions. It is even so acknowledged in the MOU. I don't follow cricket too much but the ICC should not have allowed India to book other cricket series during the time they had 'planned' to play Pakistan. This has created a situation that a full series isn't even possible this winter based on India's current schedule. Maybe, the ICC needs to do some better calendar management between its member nations.

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gknatarajan

Nov 20, 2015 10:58pm

only few days before same gentleman said pak. does not want to play with india and rejected the offer of ndian cricket board president! why again...?

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M.Saeed

Nov 20, 2015 11:06pm

For heaven's sake forget India. We shall be much better off without playing with them. Game is for leisure and offloading tensions, not to carry mountains of ill-willed tirades that grind the mind

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sohail.a

Nov 20, 2015 11:24pm

why cant Clarke convince the english to tour pakistan?

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Someone

Nov 20, 2015 11:37pm

England support the series. What does it mean? We got independence in 1947. They may still be your masters, they are not India's. Series would be played when India supports it.

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ZahidUSA

Nov 20, 2015 11:45pm

Thanks for making us feel like beggers. PCB is showing no self respect just for the sake making a few million dollars. Sad

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Nov 21, 2015 12:06am

Its better for India not to play Pakistan. Public opinion is totally against them.

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Alla Bux

Nov 21, 2015 12:15am

OK. Now the white man spoke and so it must be correct. When are we going to get rid of this colonial mentality? Actually, he was wrong. Who ever India plays makes lots and lots of bucks and so is good for the game. Pakistan unfortunately does not figure anywhere in this equation.

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Raminderjit Singh

Nov 21, 2015 12:16am

mark my words... they are just giving statements... they want to play india and they will go to india to play.... definitely... in december pakistan india series ind india is going to happen

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chachajee

Nov 21, 2015 12:24am

Why is this man getting mad after playing cricket with India? Sounds abnormal.

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CALCUTTA MAN

Nov 21, 2015 12:29am

“I have no meeting scheduled with Manohar but if he asks for a meeting then we can meet,” said Khan. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

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Abdul Rashid

Nov 21, 2015 12:34am

No cricket matches with India without Kashmir resolution.

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Asif

Nov 21, 2015 12:39am

Sounds PCB really wanted to play with India in India as BCCI proposed. PCB is playing drama.

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Vinod Mirani

Nov 21, 2015 12:42am

Is Pakistan still living in the Raj era to quote British endorsement for India and Pakistan to play cricket? It is between both countries and we shall decide. Refrain from involving outsiders. We in India support Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh when they are playing ghoras; we dont need them to sort out our issues.

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Nov 21, 2015 12:42am

Have some shame and stop this nonsense.

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Sunil

Nov 21, 2015 01:02am

England Backs !! They don't even have a schedule to meet BCCI in Dubai !!!

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Canada

Nov 21, 2015 01:35am

He's starting to become annoying and embarrassing. Time for retirement. India was never honest and should never have been trusted. Supporting Big 3 was a mistake, probably his again.

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hanifsmile

Nov 21, 2015 01:50am

who needs approval and support from ECB,

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kirther

Nov 21, 2015 02:04am

Pakistan cricket chief Shaharyar Khan is not fit enough to lead such an organization he is too old and devoid of fresh idea as long as such non-professionals are at the helm of the affairs Pakistan Cricket and Pakistan as a whole cannot prosper.

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yussouf m mir

Nov 21, 2015 02:09am

under present conditions india/pakistan is out-----pcb need to boost domestic matches

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saber

Nov 21, 2015 02:37am

In the name of Go, leave India alone and move on. Indian cricket is not the end of the world.

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Gustaakh

Nov 21, 2015 02:39am

What is wrong with this man? Why is he obsessed with series with India. #selfrespect.

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Woz Ahmed

Nov 21, 2015 02:44am

Better to invite Zimbabwe or Ireland to play in Pakistan, that will do more for Pakistani cricket. As long as the boys are killing each other on the LOC seems ridiculous to be playing cricket with each other.

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khan

Nov 21, 2015 02:56am

Indian cricket board is bullying. Pakistan should and must not play in India. Its Pak series and should be played in UAE

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niju

Nov 21, 2015 03:46am

why Pakistan grow around and seek foreign assistance for solving bilateral issues...this guys cannot solve your problem with India India is not pakistan to listen to US, UK, Russia. World political dynamics has changed.

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patriot

Nov 21, 2015 03:48am

For Lord sake ... forget about bringing the two countries together and concentrate on making our team win. We lost on a dead pitch by a team who has always performed under par in such conditions. It's not always about money Mr. Chairman!!!

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indianguy

Nov 21, 2015 04:26am

while an india pak series would be really good and entertaining, I think Pakistan must not waste its time or energy. It's embarrassing to see the the kind of extra-ordinary stubbornness my country is displaying on top of not wanting to honour an MoU b/w two countries...

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Pardesi

Nov 21, 2015 04:34am

Better to play it either in India or Pakistan than some desert. Is India safer for Pak players than Pak for Indian players? We need to check in with the crazy idiots (Shiv Sena/Taliban/JUD etc). I dont know if this better but the crazies in India seem to be organized and someone in BCCI can talk sense into. The crazies in Pak, no one seems to know how many and who they are.

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Pardesi

Nov 21, 2015 04:35am

@M.Saeed Actually if this series happens all will be happy. I am pretty sure Pak citizens will welcome Indian players and vice versa...

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Shahid

Nov 21, 2015 04:47am

@gknatarajan, he is still rejecting to play our home series in India

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Shame

Nov 21, 2015 04:53am

Mr. Shaharyar Please enough is enough!

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Someone

Nov 21, 2015 04:55am

Martians too.

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Raza

Nov 21, 2015 05:46am

England Should set an example by touring Pakistan.

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Raza

Nov 21, 2015 05:47am

@Pardesi Shivsena Did not kill any one.

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Outspoken Indian

Nov 21, 2015 06:22am

Oh, come on sir ! What next ? Dossiers or UN intervention ? What did Hurryiat say about the series?

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kumar

Nov 21, 2015 09:10am

Oh yes, Timbakttu also wants this to happen. This is become hilarious now, at stake is $$$ a few million, but fun for the spectators both sides of border we get from these statements is more than the fun we get from matches.

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Shahid

Nov 21, 2015 09:24am

Would you please stop talking on this subject on daily basis. For God sake stop it, enough is enough. And what difference does it make if England, NZ or Bangladesh support a series between India and Pakistan? We don't need money from this series, we do not want to see the two countries playing a series, and even do not support Pakistan going there for the WC.

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Girish

Nov 21, 2015 11:12am

The only reason SK is obsessed to play India is only for the sake of Dollars that PCB would earn, but sir did you check this with Hurriyat if okay to play ?

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jahanara

Nov 21, 2015 11:47am

I think what Mr. Shahriyar is saying - We will be going to India very soon on BCCI terms. so be prepared

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BBC Hindi

Nov 21, 2015 12:04pm

@Abdul Rashid Who want ? Its U looks PCB's financial condition they are going to bankrupt due to not playing with india othet teams that are playing in UAE is not profitable as india so pakistan is facing heavy loses.

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Nov 21, 2015 12:52pm

Whatever the spin doctors try to portray here do not have any substance. India & Pakistan have decided not to engage with each other, at all fronts, whatever the costs might be! As far as cricket is concerned, I have the impression that India is betting that Pakistan will eventually toe India's line if it wants to protect its interests. If Pakistan feels it is being shortchanged by India, it should abandon the forthcoming World Cup in India, bearing in mind the consequence (if there is any)! The right thing for India to do is to honor its commitment even though it is just a MOU. Being a pragmatic Indian, I feel there is no harm in lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need that could open new avenues in forging a healthier relationship!

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narayan

Nov 21, 2015 01:11pm

PCB is running around like mad to play with India because they need money very badly. They announced Pakistan Super League with lot of fanfare without thinking about the financial aspects in detail. Why will BCCI play with PCB and give them money when they know very well that they are going to use it in PSL to undermine IPL ? Common sense folks.

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Bikram singh

Nov 21, 2015 01:16pm

@gknatarajan they have the habit of thumping chest and then taking U-turn.

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Sunil

Nov 21, 2015 01:38pm

India clearly said "it will not play cricket with Pakistan, until it stop's cross border terrorism". And many Indians according to survey wants India should stop playing cricket.

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Adil jadoon

Nov 21, 2015 02:58pm

What is wrong with man? Seriously he has no respect for himself!

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Ali

Nov 21, 2015 03:04pm

Please don't compromise what the Indian cricket board agreed on the document in the past, if they are not adhere to the agreement, what they signed then why we should care. This is not only mater of money but mater of trust and respect also. They are not willing to play with us then we should avoid, because there are many cricket teams in this world who can play with us anytime.

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Aman

Nov 21, 2015 04:12pm

Who is England?? Why not Pakistani's talk directly to Indians or send letters etc...

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Anuj

Nov 21, 2015 04:24pm

who is England to say anything?

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Vectra

Nov 21, 2015 04:42pm

Come to India/Go to India and play the match as right now if venue issue is set aside then both BCCI and PCB are in common agreement to play the match.So play 1st.

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alli

Nov 21, 2015 04:50pm

PCB chief please spare us from continuous embarrassment ..

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Vineet Khokhar

Nov 21, 2015 05:41pm

@JA I think PCB is the mature and large hearted player here.

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Someone

Nov 23, 2015 05:14am

@Canada FYI, Pakistan never supported big 3. It was absent from the voting.

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