By IANS,
Karachi : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday after the Indian cricket board assured them that India will visit the country early next year as scheduled.
A PCB spokesman said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar has assured PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt that the Indian team will tour Pakistan to honour its commitment as per the International Cricket Council’s Futures Tour Programme.
“While talking with Ijaz Butt on phone, Monohar said he has written to his government for the clearance of the tour. He added that BCCI is expected to get the reply in next 10 to 12 days and the PCB would be informed accordingly,” said the spokesman.
India’s tour of Pakistan in Jan-Feb next year to play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and one Twenty20 International has been under a cloud since last week when the Indian government blocked the country’s junior hockey team’s tour to Pakistan, citing security concerns.
The PCB is eagerly looking forward to the tour as it expects to generate millions of dollars from the iconic series. Pakistan cricket has suffered back-to-back setbacks this year after Australia scrapped its Pakistan tour in March-April and then ICC postponed the Champions Trophy after five of the eight teams refused to travel to the strife-torn nation.