Pakistan government advice a must on bilateral cricket ties with India: PCB chief Najam Sethi

Najam Sethi, the newly appointed Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has said that the board will seek guidance from the government regarding cricket-related matters with India. Both Indian and Pakistan have struggled to find a common ground due to diplomatic tensions between the two governments.

The PCB sacked Ramiz Raja and appointed a 14-member panel to lead the national board with former chairman and CEO Najam Sethi at its head. The new PCB Chief joined the headquarters in Lahore on Thursday and answered media questions at the Gaddafi Stadium. When asked about future bilateral series with India, Sethi told reporters that governments in both countries need to be consulted first.

"Governments in both countries have to be consulted when it comes to bilateral and other cricket relations between Pakistan and India," Sethi said.

India last traveled to Pakistan in 2006 and both Asian giants have not played any bilateral cricket in the last decade. Most recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah confirmed that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup and that the tournament will be conducted at a neutral venue. In a response, Raja threatened to pull out from the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. 

Sethi also expressed disappointment with PCB's decision to announce the squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand before the change in a panel. But he pointed out that teams traveling to Pakistan is a good sign.

"I don't know whether there is a need to make changes in the squad, we will see if fresh ideas are required. It would have been better if the squad had not been announced. It is good that all teams are now touring Pakistan and the New Zealand team's tour is very important for us. But we also have to ensure a steady supply of talent from our domestic cricket,” he said.