We would like to make India our home: PCB Chief Shahryar Khan

PCB chief Shahryar Khan’s optimism for the revival of India-Pakistan’s cricketing ties is unparalleled.

While talks of a bilateral series between the neighboring countries are still in the wind, with IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla saying that no immediate chances of revival of cricketing ties between them, Khan is already thinking of the next step.

After visiting India and meeting BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya earlier this month to discuss bilateral series between the countries, he now has plans to take the Indo-Pak relationship to the next level.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the PCB chief now wants India to become Pakistan’s ‘home’ and host international matches for them.

He also added that the other two Asian Test-playing nations Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have offered to host Pakistan’s home games, but they would prefer India as it would be more cost-effective, as per the report.

Before the ongoing Zimbabwe series, Pakistan had not hosted international cricket for six years after a terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009, playing all their home games in UAE.

Cricketing ties between the two countries have reduced since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and have face stiff opposition from political parties like Shiv Sena. Pakistani players are not part of the IPL either. The last time they toured India was in late 2012 for a limited overs series.

On being asked about these obstacles, Khan said, “We will cross that bridge when we come to it,” according to the report.

However, Khan’s proposal is not likely to get much support from BCCI. Hindustan Times   quoted a senior BCCI official saying, “At the moment we are more concerned about hosting the T20 World Cup next year and a packed Indian international calendar. We really don’t know if we would be able to provide grounds.”

This reiterates what Shukla had said earlier this week, about the various issues that need to be sorted before taking a final decision. “As per itinerary, India will have to play in Pakistan, but at present its not possible and we are also not in favour of playing at a neutral venue,” he had said.