India-Pakistan cricketing ties are set for revival with the BCCI today agreeing to a three-match ODI series between the two arch-rivals, who have not played each other in a bilateral series for close to five years.
The decision to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan was taken by the Board’s powerful Working Committee, which met here today, much to the delight of cricket fans on both sides of the border.
“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,” the BCCI said in a statement after the meeting.
The planned series is, however, subject to government approval.
“The government is ready in principle to host the Pakistan team”, a top BCCI official said.
The ties had been snapped after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and there have been several attempts by the Pakistan Cricket Board in recent months to convince the BCCI for a resumption as the contests featuring the two arch-rivals are a huge hit with fans and generate good revenue.
India and Pakistan last played in a bilateral series in November 2007. The series was clinched 3-2 by India.
The PCB was keen on hosting India to end the international isolation that came with the 2009 Lahore terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers.
But with the BCCI reluctant to agree to such an idea because of security concerns, PCB was also willing to play on neutral venue.
The resumption of cricket ties also got a boost after the foreign secretaries of both the countries asserted that sporting relations should be strengthened.