No room for PCB as BCCI aims to host all matches

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Pakistan and India last played each other in the AsiaCup. -Photo by AP

LAHORE: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is insisting on playing all the matches of the proposed Indo-Pak series on its own soil while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen to host at least one T20 and a One-day International as negotiations between the two boards continue, well-informed sources told Dawn.

According to the Future Tours Programme (FTP), it is India’s turn to tour Pakistan because their 2009 visit here could not materialise due to strained relations between the two nations following the Mumbai attacks in November 2008.

As for the proposed Indo-Pak series, sources disclosed that the BCCI has already allotted the matches to its affiliated states and is not willing to allow PCB to host even a single match in Pakistan.

In return, however, the BCCI is offering handsome financial packages one of which include that all the media right income will be awarded to the PCB which is desperately looking to improve its financial position.

In a recent interview with Dawn, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf had said that the financial position of the Board could get a tremendous boost if India and other countries started touring Pakistan.

But the BCCI’s firm stand over not touring Pakistan for even one T20 and one ODI may create difficulties for the PCB who will find it hard to convince fans at home about the odd terms and conditions of the series.

That said, it will also not be easy for the PCB to turn down the lucrative financial package of the BCCI.

Sources said though the BCCI was not too keen to resume the bilateral series, it recently changed its stance after a strict reminder from their prime minister following President Asif Zardari’s visit to Delhi early last month.

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