BCCI Secretary admits India-Pakistan series is unlikely to be played

With so many delays, the India-Pakistan series doesn’t seem like happening

After months of brouhaha and utter confusion that left players and fans alike thoroughly bemused, BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said that it would ‘not be possible for Pakistan’ to host the series even if the Indian Government gives its go-ahead for the arrangement next week.

"It's 19th already and even if a decision comes in the next week, it might not be possible to host a series in such short notice," Thakur said at the press conference where the India’s ODI and T20I squads for the tour of Australia were announced.

He also mentioned that should the Indian government give its decision in the affirmative, it will be the responsibility of the Pakistan Cricket Board to arrange the series as they are the hosts according to the MoU signed between the BCCI and the PCB.

"This is not a decision for us to make," Thakur said. "It is for Pakistan to make should the Indian government grant permission. But, given the situation today, it appears difficult."

The drama that has unfolded over the past two months over a possible bilateral fixture between the two arch-rivals has been chaotic to say the least, with neither of the teams ready to play at each others’ home grounds.

The BCCI says that the Indian government isn’t ready to allow the players to participate in a series in the UAE, due to the threat of corruption that has loomed large over the cricketing affairs in the Arab nation in the past.

Pakistan, on the other hand, is firm in its opinion that it is PCB’s turn to host the series, according to the MoU, as India have already hosted the two previous meetings, in 2013 and 2007. Moreover, Pakistan also believes that given the recent instances of Pakistani nationals being targeted in Mumbai, it wouldn’t be safe for the players to play in India.

To break this deadlock, the ICC stepped in and appointed former ECB Chairman Giles Clarke to resolve the issue, and after negotiations, it was decided that Sri Lanka, a neutral venue will host the series. The fans on both sides of the border were still hopeful of having a series, but no decision or confirmation has been made so far.

Apparently, it is the Indian Government that has not given its nod for the series, with its Pakistani counterpart having reportedly given the green signal.

Nevertheless, with such a short time-frame, and given the arrangements and the deals that have to be done well in advance before organizing a cricket series, the probability of the series looks to be all but zero.