Modi, Nawaz give go-ahead for Pakistan-India series. PAK media

[Mudasir 4K]

One of the most anticipated cricketing events of 2015 — a bilateral series between Pakistan and India — is finally set to become a reality as the governments of both countries agreed on the series in principle, with a formal announcement expected to be made on Tuesday.
Both boards have kept their cards close to their chest on the issue thus far but The Express Tribune has learnt that an affirmative decision has been made by both sides, with Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi both agreeing to the series.
Several ‘soft’ interviews have been given in recent days in order to rein in the increased tension and escalating animosity between the two countries. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is especially vulnerable to an attack from activists similar to when the Shiv Sena recently stormed the BCCI headquarters before expected talks between the two nations.
Swaraj to weigh in on Pakistan-India series: PCB chief
Along with the announcement of the bilateral series, which will be held in Sri Lanka, will come the confirmation that Pakistan will participate in next year’s World Twenty20 in India.
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad early Tuesday to attend a conference on Afghanistan, and is expected to meet Nawaz and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
“The Pakistan-India series is set to take place after an exchange between Nawaz and Modi, with a formal announcement to be made either on Tuesday evening or on Wednesday,” revealed a high level government official close of the development. “As planned, the short series will be played in Sri Lanka, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been told that it is as good as done; with only a formal declaration remaining.”
Shaharyar expects decision soon
PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan, while addressing the media in Lahore, however said no final decision has been made yet and the board is still waiting to hear back from the Indian government.
India says no decision taken on Pakistan-India cricket series
“We expect to hear from the Indian government by Tuesday or Wednesday regarding their decision on the bilateral series,” said Shaharyar. “If the series does take place, then there will be big interest from everywhere and people will face visa issues. However, the PCB and Pakistan government will request the Sri Lankan government to iron out these issues.”
The board also praised the islanders for their role. “We want to thank the Sri Lankan government for the way they welcomed the initiative of a Pakistan-India series in their country, while England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke and the International Cricket Council also played important roles.”
The PCB chief hoped that the arrival of India’s foreign minister would have a positive impact on the fate of the series, adding that if the series does take place, the board would try to make arrangements as quickly as possible.
World cricket will lose nothing if Pakistan-India doesn’t happen: Gavaskar
“It would be tough to make the necessary arrangements in such a short time but we’ll try to sort out the logistics, while I’ve already received the name of the players selected for the series from the selection committee,” he said.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1005662/modi-nawaz-give-go-ahead-for-pakistan-india-series/

 

[Karthik]

Good news.

 

[Mudasir 4K]

The fate of the India-Pakistan series to be decided by Wednesday

The fate of Indo-Pak bilateral cricket series hangs in the balance as India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz may make an announcement by Wednesday, reports IBNlive.com.

“India-Pak cricket series announcement to be made either today or tomorrow morning,” sources told CNN-IBN. “The announcement will be a joint one by Sartaj Aziz and India’s foreign minister,” the sources went on to add.

Swaraj who will reach Islamabad today, for the Heart of Asia regional conference, shows the signs of ties between the nuclear neighbors being rekindled.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was waiting for the approval from the Indian government to play three ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals. The series will be held in Sri Lanka, who agreed to be the neutral venue for the series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed on this series with the PCB last month.

"We have been informally told that Swaraj will talk on cricket and decide the fate of the series," PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters.

The series, which was agreed on last year when a MoU was signed between the two nations, ran into trouble due to strained relations over cross-border shelling in disputed Kashmir.

Khan says arrangements will be challenging

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi met on the sidelines during the climate change conference in Paris last week. That informal meeting was followed by "cordial" talks between the Indian and Pakistani national security advisers in Bangkok, giving Khan fresh hope the series could yet take place, after the meeting between the PCB and BCCI were thwarted by protests from Shiv Sainiks in Mumbai, who stormed the BCCI headquarters and did not let the meeting 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.

Khan said making arrangements for the series at such a short notice would be challenging. The series is to take place between December 17 to January 3, "But we will do it once we get clearance from the Indian government," said Khan.

http://m.sportskeeda.com/cricket/the-fate-of-india-pakistan-series-to-be-decided-by-wednesday

 

[iSK]

Good News hya