PCB on good terms with BCCI in spite of ODI snub

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it harbours no hard feelings against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the wake of the latters decision to reject playing a three-match One-day International (ODI) series in Pakistan next month.

Karachi, Feb.28 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it harbours no hard feelings against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the wake of the latter's decision to reject playing a three-match One-day International (ODI) series in Pakistan next month.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Nasim Ashraf, said: "They (BCCI) tried their best to accommodate a series proposed by us, but were unable to squeeze it in their hectic schedule."

The Pakistanis had requested BCCI to send their team across the border for three one-dayers in mid-March in a bid to make up for a delayed start to their home series against Australia that could end up being scrapped because of security fears.

The PCB, which has been making efforts to help promote BCCI's Indian Premier League (IPL) in Pakistan, was very hopeful that the Indians would respond positively to their proposal. They had even lined up the three ODIs in Lahore on March 14, 16 and 18.

However, BCCI president Sharad Pawar informed them last Sunday that it was impossible for India to accept playing the series in March.

He instead assured PCB that India will play an ODI series in Pakistan anytime before this September's ICC Champions Trophy. But that is not good enough for Pakistan, who are facing the possibility of a barren season because of fears that Australia might not send their team here for a series in March-April because of security reasons.

Ashraf said the PCB will continue to work closely with BCCI on several issues, including the 2011 World Cup which the two South Asian rivals are to co-host with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

ANI