LAHORE, April 18: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Asif Bajwa will meet Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday to consider the possibility of the revival of Indo-Pak hockey series along with cricketing ties.

The secretary said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who is also patron-in-chief of the PHF, had instructed the interior minister to also consider option of reviving hockey series between the two countries, which were going to restore the cricketing ties.

He said if India would visit Pakistan, the PHF would likely to host matches in Lahore, Karachi and Faisalabad.

He said Pakistan had to play a three-match series against India before taking part in the upcoming Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in India in December this year.

About the fate of the senior players, Asif said those who would prove the fitness would get a place in the national team to take part in next month’s Azlan Shah Cup.

He said PHF president Qasim Zia would appoint the captain of the national team in place of Zeeshan Ashraf, who has decided not to play the Azlan Shah Cup.

AFP adds: Both countries have shown willingness to renew their rivalry on the sports field since they met in the cricket World Cup semi-final in Mohali in India last month.

Gilani attended the match –– which was won by the hosts –– at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, and they vowed to improve relations.

The two countries’ cricket boards are in talks to hold a series later this year or early in 2012.

Pakistan’s chances of hosting international sports are also linked to improvement of security situation in the country.

Pakistan has been a virtual “no go” for international sporting activities since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore in March 2009.

The country has not hosted any international sporting events since the attacks, which left eight people killed and injured seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.