'BCCI open to Pakistan-India series at neutral venue'
Pakistan could take on India in short series later this year after the BCCI relaxed its longstanding stance of not playing cricket at a neutral venue, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told the Mumbai Mirror.
The possibility of the series was discussed at the emergent working committee meeting of the BCCI in Chennai yesterday.
“There is no window till 2015 to accommodate a full-fledged series but we can squeeze in a short series if a proposal from the PCB comes through,” Patel said while adding that India was willing to travel to any neutral venue that Pakistan may suggest.
The series, however, may come with strings attached according to a Times of India report which has quoted a senior BCCI official as saying: “An Indo-Pak series would also mean greater revenue for PCB and also it would give us a chance to have their nod for our 'Position Paper' which BCCI is planning to table at the ICC Executive Board Meeting. Also Zaka Ashraf's comeback in PCB can be called a factor in this regard.
“Mr Srinivasan shares a cordial relationship with Ashraf.”