No chance of playing December series in India: PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan

Shahryar Khan is adamant that India must play in UAE

PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan has declined to BCCI’s formal invitation to play a ‘home‘ series in India, citing geographical location as the problem. Last week, BCCI Chief Shashank Manohar had officially invited Pakistan for the bilateral series in December. However, Khan made it very clear that the series would not take place without prior government permission.

During a media interaction, Khan said, “We are sad that India doesn’t want to play in UAE, there is no logical reason why they shouldn’t. As far as our chances of playing in India goes, I would say there is no chance. We have already gone twice in 2007 and 2012, this time around we want it in our home venue, which is UAE. Even the IPL is hosted in UAE, there is no logical explanation for India not to play there.”

A senior BCCI official said, “There has been no official exchange between both boards so far, regarding Pakistan not coming to India. As and when that happens, we will deliver an appropriate response.

As per the PCB, another key issue to be dealt with is that of broadcasting rights. Ten Sports Chief Executive Rajeev Sethi told Cricinfo, "Why should we be?" Sethi said. "Give me the reason to be worried. We'll be happy if this tournament happens.

On being asked whether the broadcasting right will be an issue, he said, I'm not saying that. I'm saying we'll be happy if this tournament happens because we know contractually, ethically, logically we are the partner broadcasters for PCB and if PCB hosting a tournament obviously we are the partner broadcasters."

Sethi added that BCCI and PCB must come to a conclusion, regarding that if the serioues does take place. He said, "What I can say as per our contractual agreement with the PCB [is that] we are the host broadcasters. If the BCCI is the host their partner broadcaster is Star. If PCB is the host board then we are the partner broadcaster.”

India only has a one month window in December, before they travel to Australia on January 8. As per the 2014 MoU, Pakistan were scheduled to host India this year, however, The latest PCB response increases the cloud of doubt hovering over the series. BCCI is yet to issue a response.