BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) secretary Anurag Thakur ruled out any chances of playing India-Pakistan bilateral cricket series in a very short time.
Thakur told reporters, “It is not possible to arrange a series in such a short time. Even if we get a go ahead (from government) next week it will be virtually impossible to arrange a series in such a short time. At the same time it will have to be arranged by PCB.”
PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) chief Shahryar Khan had earlier said that they would be still hoping for BCCI’s approval over the series after Indian Government clearly showing no interests over the bilateral series.
India-Pakistan bilateral cricket series was scheduled to be held from the middle of December 2015 to early January 2016 in UAE as per last year’s MoU contract, which was agreed both the teams at that time. UAE is the Pakistan’s current international home venue. The series was conducted of all formats (Tests, ODIs and T20s).
But from the beginning of this year, BCCI continuously opposed to play the series in UAE. After showing uninterested in playing in UAE, BCCI had invited Pakistan in India to play the series which was not accepted by the PCB.
As per MoU contract, if there is not possible to play in UAE due to any reason, the series can be arranged in any neutral venue with “a mutually agreed venue”. Later, both the boards agreed to play the series in Sri Lanka as a neutral venue, but only the limited-overs format (ODIs and T20s). But NOC (No Objection Certificate) from governments of the both countries were necessary for the series. PCB got the NOC from their government, but Indian government not give the NOC to the BCCI for the series.
Due to cancelling this series, PCB will suffer to lose around $40 to 50 million.
At the current situation, India and Pakistan are already scheduled to play series from the earlier January in Australia and New Zealand respectively. So, the chances to organise the bilateral series at current situation is not likely possible at anyway.