PCB to discuss revival of Indo-Pak cricket ties

Desperate to revive bilateral series with India, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt has left for Colombo to attend the Asian Cricket Council meeting where he would take up the issue with BCCI officials separately.

Butt, who has been trying to revive Indo-Pak cricket ties, which stand suspended since the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, said he would be speaking to the Indian officials on the sidelines of the Asian Cricket Council meeting in Dambulla, where the Asia Cup is being held.

"I'll be speaking to the BCCI officials to convince them to revive Pakistan-India cricket series," said Butt, who is also the president of the ACC.

"Cricketing ties between the two countries are very important for the game and it would be my priority during my tour to Sri Lanka to discuss the issue," he added.

During his visit, Butt will also oversee the process of selection for the squad for the Test tour to England.

Chief selector Mohsin Khan is also flying to Sri Lanka where he will consult the captain and coach before announcing the squad on Sunday.

Butt said the suspension of bilateral ties between Pakistan and India were a great loss to world cricket.

"It is unfortunate that we are not playing more often against each other because people in the subcontinent and in many parts of the world want to cricket action between the two teams," he said.

"This rivalry has always been a treat for cricket fans all over the world and it must be revived," he added.

Pakistan has even proposed holding bilateral matches at neutral venues if India is not willing to tour Pakistan.

Butt stated that he will also ask BCCI officials to include Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 champions Sialkot Stallions in next year's Champions League Twenty20.

Sources said Butt will also try to convince the ACC members to help Pakistan convince foreign teams to tour the troubled nation by next year.

"Pakistan needs the support of the Asian bloc if it wants to see a quick revival of international cricket at home after the attack on the Sri Lankan team last year. The ACC meeting is a good opportunity for Butt to mend fences with the other Asian countries," one source said.