LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet received formal information from BCCI regarding the schedule of the much-awaited Pakistan-India series to be played there commencing from December 25, it has been learnt.
A source in the PCB confirmed that the board had not received any formal confirmation from the BCCI regarding the schedule of the series or any other information yet.
"We are still waiting for the confirmation from the BCCI as we have come to know through the media regarding the clearance for the series from the Indian Home Minister, but still not received any formal information from our counterpart as yet," the source said.
It may take a couple of days as soon as the Cricket Board will receive the confirmation from BCCI the PCB will start preparations for the tour, the source added. Indian tour has much importance for Pakistan and for revival of cricketing relations between the two neighbouring countries. Pakistan will announce its squad for the India tour after the conclusion of Grade-I President's Trophy after watching the players' performance in the domestic event underway at the various venues across the country.
The national players are busy in the President's Cup and there will be no need for camp for the team but they will gather at the National Cricket Academy for make light preparations for the series as the either sides cricket-crazy fans watch to see their heroes in action eagerly.
The Indian tour will prove make and break for some of the players either they will excel or their career will be end on a sad note while some stars will end their career on a high. It will be the duty of national selectors to choose best available players of the country on merit keeping in mind country's pride then inclusion of non-deserving players to keep Pakistan flag high.
The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan were freeze since 2008 after the terrorists attack in Mumbai. India last hosted Pakistan in 2007-08. The Indian government has given the go-ahead for a home cricket series against Pakistan in December and January, in what will be Pakistani cricketers' first tour of the country in five years.
The December tour will feature three One-Day International matches and two Twenty20s. The series was first agreed upon in July but still required the green light from India's Home Ministry, which came Monday, according to reports. Officials from the ministry weren't available to confirm the development.
India and Pakistan have played each other in the semi-final of ODI World Cup in 2011 in Mohali. The Pakistan team is due to arrive in India on Dec. 22, according to reports. The tour comes in the middle of India's series with England, but the English team will be taking a break over Christmas and New Year.