Both BCCI and PCB are ready to play one another as long as there is government clearance: Zaka Ashraf

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf is keen on organising a bilateral series against India in the coming future. He met Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah and other notable dignitaries during the ODI World Cup 2023 to explore the opportunities and strengthen the cricketing ties between the neighbouring countries. However, nothing concrete was obtained.

India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2013. Since then, the two cricketing giants have only met in global tournaments, such as the Asia Cup and World Cups. Pakistan players were banned from featuring in the Indian Premier League as well after the 2008 Mumbai attack.

PCB has put in a lot of effort to host a bilateral series against India in the recent past but BCCI has rejected it multiple times as they have also denied travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2023, after which, the second leg of the tournament was hosted in Sri Lanka. Zaka recently claimed that the two boards are now ready to play against one another and is only subjected to government clearance.

“As far as India-Pakistan series are concerned, both the boards are ready to play one another as long as there is government clearance,” Ashraf was quoted as saying by pcb.com.pk

Ashraf opened up about strengthening the relationship with Cricket Australia

Ashraf revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board is working actively to strengthen its relationship with Cricket Australia. He mentioned that Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is in the loop as well and they are eager to work with them for mutual benefit.

“We had talked to the Prime Minister about it earlier and he had encouraged strengthening relations with Australia as it would help cricket in Pakistan. At PCB, we were already inclined towards this. Earlier in India, we had interacted with Cricket Australia and we wanted to take that forward. We wanted to work with them for mutual benefit,” Ashraf said.