PCB to seek ICC president's help to push through India-Pakistan series

ICC president Zaheer Abbas is a firm supporter of the India-Pakistan series

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shaharyar Khan said that he will be seeking the help of ICC president Zaheer Abbas to convince India to play in the series against Pakistan scheduled for December this year, NDTV Sports reports. The former Pakistani cricketer in turn has offered his assistance to help the PCB in its efforts.

The future of the series has been in serious jeopardy ever since the Gurdaspur terrorist attacks in July with BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur stating that cricket and terrorism can’t go hand in hand in the aftermath of those attacks. The political relations between the two nations has only taken a turn for the worse since then with the general perception being that the series scheduled to take place in the UAE is likely to be called off.

Khan had written a letter to Thakur seeking clarification on the future of the series but with no reply forthcoming from the Indian board, the PCB has started to look at alternative ways to convince India to send their team to play.

"I met with Zaheer Abbas the other day and have asked him to use his influence as the ICC President and former captain to persuade the Indian board to confirm the series against us in December. We are keen to have the series on schedule as it is very important for the relations between the two countries," Shaharyar said.

"Zaheer is a respected figure in India and also the ICC President. I asked him to help us out. I hope he can do something and I remain hopeful that the series will take place," the PCB chief added.

Former and present cricketers from the two countries have been divided in their opinions as to whether the series should go ahead. While the Pakistani trio of Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, and Inzamam-Ul-Haq feels the series will have a positive influence on the relations between the two countries, Sourav Ganguly and Javed Miandad thinks otherwise.

Zaheer Abbas though is definitely in favour of the series going ahead as planned.

"I will do my best because as a former player I also want the series to take place. I have said the series is important for cricket and also for Indo-Pak relations as well," Abbas said. "We want this series to happen and we have even agreed to play at a neutral venue (UAE) but we are still waiting for a positive response from the Indian board."