PCB sources still hopeful of a short series against India

Karachi: The Pakistan cricket authorities have not ruled out the possibility of having a short limited over series against India in December even as their top officials are in Dubai to attend the ICC meetings.

Even though the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said at a press conference in Lahore last week that he had little hopes of the series with India being held in December due to the existing relations between the two countries but well-informed sources have not ruled out some sort of compromise.

"A revised series with only ODIs and T20 matches is a possibility in the UAE in December," a PCB source said.

"Pakistan needs the series to be held because of the financial benefits it can earn from the series. So it is keeping its options open and these could be discussed on the sidelines of the ICC meetings in Dubai," he added.

Shaharyar Khan had told the press conference that the environment in India with reference to Pakistan was not conducive for the planned series but confirmed he would be talking to Indian cricket officials in Dubai.

The former chairman of the PCB and now the head of its executive committee, Najam Sethi also disclosed last week that he and Khan could travel to India soon to meet with the newly elected President of the Indian cricket board, Shashank Manohar, who apparently is not attending the ICC meeting.

"Yes, we have plans but nothing is final as yet. We might go to India," Sethi said.

He however ruled out any possibility of the Pakistan Super League T20 event being organized in December if the India series didn’t materialise as feared.

“The PSL will not be held in December. It will be held as planned in February. If India doesn’t play then the PCB has to look at other alternates,” Sethi said.