Swaraj has reached Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan today (Tuesday) afternoon. India-Pakistan cricket series announcement to be made either tonight or tomorrow morning, say a highly placed sources in PCB.
The announcement will be a joint one by Pakistan foreign minister Sartaj Aziz and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj.
The destiny of the scheduled series between India and Pakistan will be decided during the visit of External Affairs Ministry Sushma Swaraj to Islamabad, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shahryar Mohammad Khan said on Monday.
The PCB said it was waiting for the Indian government’s approval for a short series in Sri Lanka. The series will be comprised of three ODI and two twenty 20 internationals.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed with PCB to play the series last month.
Swaraj is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday to attend the Hear of Asia regional conference. The conference will concentrate on Afghanistan issue. But, Swaraj’s visit is the latest sign of warming ties between the nuclear neighbours.
“We have been informally told that Swaraj will talk on cricket and decide the fate of the series,” PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told media.
Two boards agreed to play the series in a memorandum of understanding signed last year, ran into trouble amid strained relationship over cross-border ceasefire violation in disputed Kashmir.
Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif has already given his nod for the series. Recently at the Paris Climate Summit Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the meet last week as the two countries seek a thaw in relations.
The meeting was followed by “cordial” chat between the Indian and Pakistan national security advisors in Bangkok on Sunday, giving Khan fresh hope this series could yet take place.
“The recent meeting between the two prime ministers and security advisers’ meeting in Bangkok have hinted the situation between Pakistan and India will improve,” he said.
However, it will be “challenging” for PCB they Indian government give the approval because in a short span of time they have to organise the series, and have to find a sponsor for the series, Khan said, “but we will do it once we get clearance from the Indian government.”