BCCI hopes India can play in quake fund-raiser

Cricket authorities hope the government will allow the team to take part in a one-day series in Sharjah alongside arch rivals Pakistan to raise funds for earthquake victims.

"Government clearance is still awaited, but it is likely the government will accede to our request," Sharad Diwadkar, executive secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said on Friday.

The Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF) on Thursday proposed a four-day tournament from February 8 involving India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, to raise funds for victims of the earthquake in Gujarat last week.

But the ACF added that India's participation depended on clearance from the Indian government which cancelled a proposed test tour of Pakistan last year because of political tensions between the two neighbours over disputed Kashmir.

The government, however, has not objected to India playing Pakistan in tournaments where more than two teams are involved.

Diwadkar said Indian selectors would meet on Monday to select the team if the government gave them permission.

He said India's participation in Sharjah would postpone a preparatory camp scheduled for Tuesday ahead of a three-test home series against the Australian team which arrives on February 14.

The Indian team is scheduled to participate in a triangular one-day tournament in Sharjah from April 8 which includes Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Mail Cricket Editor