India-Pakistan to play a short series
In an apparent renewal of relationships between the two nations, India is set to host Pakistan in 3 ODIs and 2 T20 internationals in late December and early January. TV reports have suggested that India might host their volatile neighbors during the 15 day window that is available in between the Test and ODI series against England. BCCI sources have stated that the tour will go ahead once the official permission is received from the government. The decision was taken during the Working committee meeting of the BCCI on Monday. Rajiv Shukla, Vice-President, BCCI mentioned that the 3 ODIs will be played in Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi while Bangalore and Ahmedabad will host the T20 matches.
A BCCI Media release stated that the scheduling will be worked out on a later date. " It was decided to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan by inviting the Pakistan cricket team for a short series in December 2012 - January 2013. The modalities will be worked out shortly."
Speaking to NDTV India, former Pakistan great Javed Miandad expressed his happiness at the likely resumption of ties between the two nations. He said that he would like to congratulate both the boards on this decision. He said that sports is the only way to ease the tension between both countries. He also called on both nations to leave the bitter past behind and start the relationship afresh.
The last time the two nations met in a bilateral series was in 2007 when India hosted their rivals for a series of 3 Tests and 5 ODIs. India won both the Test as well as ODI series. Last year, the two teams were involved in an emotional World Cup semis at Mohali with India winning the highly anticipated match to storm into the finals. The match was watched at the stadium by the heads of both nations.
There were talks of a bilateral series between the two nations floating along ever since then, but the packed schedule of either teams prevented any step forward. Recently, Pakistan offered India to either host the two teams in any of the two nations or even proposed a neutral venue as an attempt to resume cricketing ties. The 3 match series can act as an appetizer ahead of a full series between two of cricket's long time rivals.
The change in attitude was also reflected in the decision to allow the domestic T20 champions from Pakistan, Sialkot Stallions to participate in the Champions League T20 tournament where the BCCI holds a 50% stake while the remaining is equally shared by Australia and South Africa.
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