Pakistan want to play a tri-series in India

Former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram has welcomed the idea of a tri-series with India

The Pakistan Cricket board is hoping it can get the BCCI to host a tri-series in the coming months in an attempt to play more regularly against India. The idea will be pitched forward at the Asian Cricket Council meeting in Chennai on Saturday, NDTV Sports reports.

Some well placed sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board told PTI that they cajoled Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahma to share the idea with the BCCI.

“There is a strong chance that the BCCI might propose to have a tri-series sometime in December in India with Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the PCB is ready to accept this invitation,” one source said.

The source stated that the PCB and Sri Lanka Cricket would work something out if the tri-series calls for reshuffling Pakistan’s home series versus Sri Lanka in the UAE in the months of December and January.

“The PCB has got feelers from India that it is contemplating having the tri-series after having decided to curtail its tour to South Africa late in the year,” the source said.

The BCCI is currently involved in a tussle with Cricket South Africa owing to the BCCI’s suggestion to curb the number of matches to be played against South Africa during this series. The ICC supported South Africa in Wednesday’s verdict.

“But the Indians are clearly not happy with the re-entry of Haroon Lorgat into Cricket South Africa and are now thinking about the tri-series with Pakistan and India,” he added.

Last December had seen a renewal of explosive matches between the two countries during the short one-day series played when Pakistan toured India. The source hopes that Ahmad and the BCCI would hammer out a solution in order for the tri-series to see the light of day.

“PCB is keen for the tri-series as it will guarantee good money for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka,” he added.

The suggestion of a tri-series comes in the wake of the Indian government’s failure to provide visas to the players of Pakistani team Faisalabad Wolves for the upcoming Champions League competition.

“Subhan might also discuss this issue with the Indians. But apparently one thing is clear he is going there after the PCB got some sort of signal from the government,” he said.

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram told reporters that bilateral ties would be beneficial for both the countries.

“I have always said that politics should be kept apart from sports. If Pakistan and India play regularly against each other it will be good for the players of both sides.”

“I have played many times against India and I know these matches are very special and unique and have pressure not only for the players but also for the people of both countries. In the past there is no doubt that cricket has played a big role in improving relations between the two nations,” he said.