December Ind-Pak series unlikely: PCB chief

Shaharyar Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, finally gave up hope of organising the proposed India-Pakistan cricket series in the near future, but he is hopeful of resumption of bilateral cricketing ties between the two countries.

"It is impossible to hold the series now as valuable time has gone. But we will now wait and see when the Indian Board (BCCI) tells us they have got clearance from their government to play with us," Khan said.

"If the clearance comes from the Indians, then we can look at finding a window to play a bilateral series sometime in 2016," the PCB chief added.

Khan said PCB believes that it is important for Pakistan and India to resume bilateral ties. "If not this year, we can do something in 2016 but it will all depend on the Indian board telling us when they are ready to play," he said.

He said whenever BCCI gets the clearance from its government and a series is planned, it would be Pakistan's home series as per the MoU signed between the two Boards.

According to ICC's Future Tours Program (FTP), India and Pakistan are supposed to play six series between 2015 and 2023 with four to be hosted by Pakistan.

Pakistan and India have not played a full bilateral series since 2007 in the aftermath of 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Pakistan, however, had toured India for a short series in 2012.

Indian batsman Rahul Dravid (R) looks at his broken wickets after being bowled by Pakistani pace bowler Mohammad Sami. Photo: AFP