Karachi, Oct. 1 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is starved for bilateral series against India, has said it is ready to bear the logistical costs of playing against its arch-rival as well as other countries.
"I have always maintained that revival of bilateral series is a step forward in the right direction. My relationship with BCCI president N Srinivasan has been very cordial. I have told him that we are ready to play India anywhere in the world even in neutral venues," the Daily Times quoted PCB chief Zaka Ashraf, as saying.
"We can even pay the rent for using the facilities and have more matches against India and other nations. An India versus Pakistan series has a lot of economic relevance. The kind of passionate cricket fans that are there in two countries, the viewership always doubles when they are pitted against each other," he added.
Indo-Pak bilateral cricket ties, which had been snapped after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, are set to be revived this December with a short ODI and Twenty20 series. Ashraf said the PCB was more than willing to bear the cost of organising more such series.
He also thanked India''s foreign minister S M Krishna for taking special initiatives so that Pakistan fans can come in large number to watch the series slated in December.
"The two governments have been working in tandem after the announcement of series and one is covering all areas minutely. Mr Krishna has been very helpful after we requested him about our fans being permitted to come in big numbers to watch series in India," Ashraf said.
© ANI
