PCB rules out possibility of India-Pakistan bilateral series in 2017

With the tense situation along the India-Pakistan border showing no signs of improvement, chances of a bilateral series between the two Asian giants looks highly unlikely in 2017, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) executive committee head Najam Sethi said on Sunday.

While the rivalry between the two cricket powerhouses is something every cricket fan is eager to catch a glimpse of, the ongoing political tension caused by terrorist attacks carried out near to the border region has denied the dream from becoming a reality in the recent past. Events like the Pathankot terrorist attack have virtually ruled out any possibility of a bilateral series between the two sides, which last happened in 2012 unless circumstances take a dramatic turn for the better.

Sethi, who last month asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to compensate the PCB for the financial losses caused due to the bilateral ties not occurring as per the MoU signed between the two cricket boards in 2014, seemed resigned to fate when making his views clear about the possibility of resumption of cricket ties.

"I don't think it will happen because of the current scenario which will take a lot of time to change,” Sethi said.

Even if the situation does improve, Sethi wants India to play Pakistan at a neutral venue of their choice given that the two sides were supposed to meet in the UAE, the adopted home of Pakistan cricket, in December 2015.

"They will have to play against us at a venue of our choice as we will be hosting any such series," Sethi said.

The two sides recently played against each other during the Asia Cup held in Bangladesh as well as during the World T20 held in India with the match played at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata turning out to be sell out. However, Sethi ruled out the possibility of Pakistan visiting India for a bilateral series before the latter agrees to play them as visitors.

“We will only agree to not playing on Indian soil. But if for example, India agrees to matches with us on a neutral venue of our choice, which we host, then we will play them," he said.

Sethi doesn’t see the situation to have any effect on matches between the two sides at ICC events, such as the one scheduled to be held at the Champions Trophy in England in 2018.

“I think India will avoid playing us in the Champions Trophy next year in England," he said. "Look if there is no India and Pakistan match in an ICC event, then financially it will hurt everyone including the ICC and I don't see that happening since both countries get shares from the world body."