KARACHI, March 29: India was willing to resume its cricketing relations with Pakistan but the prospects of a bilateral series in the near future looked unlikely.

A three-member Indian delegation, that called on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia in Rawalpindi Friday, further hinted that any cricket before next year’s SAF Games was not possible.

According to International Cricket Council’s 10-year plan, India are scheduled to tour Pakistan next year in April. According to tentative programme, India are due here between April 7 and May 20 during which it will play five one-dayers, three Tests and a three-dayer.

Janardhan Singh Gehlot, member of the delegation, told Dawn from Rawalpindi that although his committee had the blessings of the government to discuss cricket, they had not come with a specific agenda.

“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) feels that sports should not be mixed with politics. The IOA is crystal clear on this issue and will press the government to revive cricket,” Gehlot said.

He said when his delegation returns to India Monday, it would call on the relevant government authorities as well as Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to resume exchange of bilateral tours and series.

“We will strongly recommend revival of cricket as well as other sports. But we cannot promise immediate resumption,” he said.

He, however, confirmed that India would participate in the 9th SAF Games likely in March next year.

Suresh Kalmadi, the IOA president, his delegation was in Pakistan to break the ice.

“Our first and foremost job is to break the ice with the Indian contingent participation in the 9th SAF Games to be held in Islamabad,” he said.

Gen Tauqir termed the meeting as a positive one and hoped deliberations would continue.

“Our policy remains unchanged and we are willing to play India. But it is for India to decide if it wants to play us. According to ten-year ICC plan, India has to tour Pakistan which means the ball is in their court,” he said.

The General said he made it clear to the Indian delegation that Pakistan was not only suffering huge financial losses, his team and the local public was also being affected.

“We are not playing enough cricket like Australia and South Africa. It is directly affecting our source of income as well as the general public who wants to see Indian stars play on their soil.

“If the general public feels grieved, they are within their rights as Pakistan cricketers displayed their talent and earned praise when they played in India in 1999,” he said.

Pakistan won Tests at Chennai and Kolkata while lost at New Delhi under Wasim Akram in 1999. Pakistan later played in the triangular one-day series with Sri Lanka being the third team.