(Image source from: Will India-Pakistan Cricket To Resume?})

BCCI President Shashank Manohar looked positive over the resumption of India-Pakistan cricketing ties. The first hints came out at the AGM, where the President informed the meeting that the board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play cricket series including two-Test matches and five one-day series in December 2015 in the United Arab Emirates.

Giving the latest status report on the cricket series between India and Pakistan, Manohar said, “We are committed to playing Pakistan in December. However, since it’s not possible to play them in Pakistan or the UAE, we have to look at playing the series in Northern India in December.”

PCB was urged by the former as well as current Pakistan players not to pursue the series due to the lack of positive response from the BCCI. Time and again, Shaharyar Khan, PCB chairman, has impressed upon Manohar to give his best shot over the execution of the MoU and play the series.

Manohar, who was elected in October, has said that the resumption of India-Pakistan series does not depend only on the decision of the Boards, but also on the decisions taken by two governments of India and Pakistan. He said, “To play against Pakistan we need to get government permission. So we need to speak to the government and abide by whatever decision the government takes.”

Answering about inviting team to play in India, Manohar said, “It all depends on what happens to the proposed India-Pakistan series. We have to get an appointment with the government first and then we will take a call.”

Since December 2007, not even a single Test series was played between India and Pakistan and same is the case with a One-Day International series since December 2012.

-Sumana