PCB Chief Hopes Swaraj Visit Will Decide India-Pakistan Series

Lahore, Dec 8 (IANS) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan believes a decision on the India-Pakistan limited-overs cricket series will be taken during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visit to Islamabad on Tuesday-Wednesday.

Swaraj will be in Islamabad for a regional security conference and will also meet Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

"I have been told informally that Swaraj might bring information regarding the series. We will wait a couple of more days for India's reply on the three-One Day International and two-Twenty 20 series scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka in mid-December," PCB chief Khan told media on Monday.

"We might face difficulty in the logistic arrangements for the series if India further delays its reply. But if they send a positive signal in another couple of days, then we can manage something. As soon as I get any confirmation from the Indian government, I will let you know," Khan assured.

The series, agreed between the two boards in a memorandum of understanding signed last year, ran into trouble amid strained relations. The series was scheduled to begin on December 15 in Sri Lanka.

"We haven't received any proposal about reducing the number of matches in the series, if the series takes place," he said.

The PCB chairman took the opportunity to thank Sri Lanka and International Cricket Council (ICC) for the support.

"I am thankful to Sri Lanka for their support in providing the venue for the series. The ICC also played their part. England Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke was also very helping during the talks. I want to thank all of them for their support," Khan said.