Pakistan had strongly pitched for resuming cricketing ties during the foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries early. In a significant step towards improving bilateral relations, India and Pakistan will resume cricketing ties that were frozen after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Pakistan had strongly pitched for resuming cricketing ties during the foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries early. In a significant step towards improving bilateral relations, India and Pakistan will resume cricketing ties that were frozen after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The security of the players and issuance of visas to fans who may come from Pakistan are matters dealt with by the home ministry.
“The home minister and external affairs minister both know of the decision and are totally fine with it,” said Rajiv Shukla, union minister and BCCI vice-president.
Pakistan has been keen on hosting India to end the international isolation that came with the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore in 2009.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars in the past 65 years, and the already fragile relations were further strained since the 26/11 carnage.
The last series between the two sides was Pakistan’s tour of India in 2007 although Pakistan travelled to India to play the 50-over World Cup semi-final in Mohali last year.
“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 BCCI said in a statement following a working committee meeting in New Delhi.
Pakistan will be invited to play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told reporters.
