Karachi, Nov 27 (IANS) Cricket authorities of India and Pakistan are set to meet on December 17 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for discussions on the future of holding bilateral series in the backdrop of the sterile relations between the two neighbours.
According to a report in the Express Tribune on Sunday, the Indian authorities have already suggested different options, including the option of a triangular series, but Pakistan have not shown any interest.
A meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is scheduled in Colombo next month which will be held under the stewardship of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan. PCB officials Najam Sethi and Subhan Ahmed are also expected to attend the meeting, as per the report.
PCB has reportedly decided to take up with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Anurag Thakur the issue of bilateral matches. In case they do not receive a positive response there, legal options will be considered, the report said.
According to some reports, Najam Sethi previously held a detailed discussion with Thakur when he visited South Africa to participate in an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting due to unavailability of Shaharyar Khan.
Pakistan has earlier raised its doubts on how India could participate in such an event while it was not eager to participate in ICC events, with Indian authorities taking different stances in ICC meetings and before the media. It was concluded then that a further discussion on the matter will be held in Colombo.
Thakur has reportedly told Sethi that although the Indian government was not in favour of bilateral cricket series with Pakistan, the possibility of a triangular series could be considered.
The politicial tensions between the two countries have also affected cricket with the Indian women's team not playing against Pakistan in the Women's Championship recently.
India's refusal to play Pakistan cost them six penalty points. ICC came to the decision following consideration of written submissions from both the PCB and BCCI.
PCB has reportedly decided to take legal action to seek compensation from BCCI after ICC ruled in its favour on the issue.
BCCI has lodged a protest with the ICC for making a judgement that isn't in its interest.
Relations between the two neighbouring countries have deteriorated markedly in recent months.
