(This entry was originally posted in this blog on December 9, 2008 and the information is based on that time.)
The upcoming test series between India and England kicks off from 11 December 2008 following a period of uncertainty over the series on security concern. After the Mumbai terror attack recently, the future of the test series was put in jeopardy. However, it is not yet confirmed if BCCI would send Indian team to Pakistan on a full-fledged series due on January next year. After the recent attack in Mumbai, Indian government has pointed its finger to Pakistan for the attack. So, India’s tour of Pakistan is still uncertain.
In the wake of Mumbai attack, PCB is now planning to offer BCCI to send Indian team on the scheduled tour at a neutral venue. PCB is also planning Colombo, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah as the alternative venue for the three-match test series. India is also supposed to play five One-Day internationals and a Twenty20 match on the tour.
Thestatesman reported:
“The PCB chairman, Mr Ejaz Butt, has so far failed to get any response from the Indian board. After the Mumbai attacks, the Indian media has reacted strongly to Pakistan’s involvement in them. The Indian board too is silent on the tour,” a PCB source said, adding: “Pakistan are now planning to pick an Asian Cricket Council meeting in Chennai on 12 December as an opportunity to urge the Indian board to play the Test series on schedule at Colombo, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.” He said, before the Mumbai attacks, the two boards had been in communication with each other and the Indians were expecting to send a security delegation to Pakistan for pre-tour inspection checks in the first week of December to confirm the venues and dates.
So, the fact is that the BCCI has not confirmed India’s tour of Pakistan yet and there is every possible doubt over this much-awaited tour. Both India and Pakistan are known as cricket-mad countries who have a large amount of cricket crazy fans who will definitely be disheartened if the tour is postponed. I think, PCB can make an official offer to BCCI stating their plan to organize the series on a neutral venue.
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