Giles Clarke
Dubai - The proposed series between the arch-rivals in December has suffered a big blow after India refused to play Pakistan in the UAE.
Published: Fri 20 Nov 2015, 11:00 PM
Updated: Sat 21 Nov 2015, 11:23 AM
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shaharyar Khan claimed on Friday that even England are taking an effort to help resume cricket ties between Pakistan and India.
The proposed series between the arch-rivals in December has suffered a big blow after India refused to play Pakistan in the UAE.
The BCCI instead showed its desire to play the series on home soil, but the Pakistan board is unwilling to send their team to India because under the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, it's Pakistan's turn to host India.
While talking to reporters during the fourth one-dayer between Pakistan and England in Dubai on Friday, Khan revealed they have received support from an unlikely source.
"Former ECB chairman Giles Clarke (now president of the ECB) is also making an effort (for India-Pakistan series) and he is also of the opinion that the series should be held for the interest of cricket," Khan said on Friday.
"Clarke believes that a Pakistan-India series is vital for the game and he is also talking to the BCCI chief and I have told him that he has no need to convince us, convince the BCCI."
BCCI president Shashank Manohar arrived in Dubai on Friday night to take over as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council. Reports in the Indian media have speculated that Manohar might meet Khan in Dubai.
"I have no meeting scheduled with Manohar but if he asks for a meeting then we can meet," said Khan. "Let's see if Clarke makes the effort and comes here tomorrow."
Khan also revealed that the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked the PCB not to make any decision on the series without the government's advice.
"Now the matter is political because the advice from the PM is that the final decision will be made by the government only. We have put that before the BCCI," said Khan.