India, Pakistan may play one-dayers in US

KARACHI: India and Pakistan could play a one-day series in North America after next year's World Cup, a top Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said on Saturday.

PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said a proposal had been floated for such a series under the agreement between the two countries to play a minimum of 15 one-day internationals in the next five years at off-shore venues.

"We are keen to play India at those off-shore venues where there are a large number of a Pakistani and Indian expatriates. Canada and the United States in this regard are ideal locations," he said.

But Shaharyar made it clear that if such a series was held after the World Cup, it would have to be done ensuring the Future Tours programme of the International Cricket Council (ICC) was not disturbed.

"We need ICC clearance to host this series. But we are keen and we will work out the details of television rights and financial aspects of the proposed series in North America," he said.

In the 90s, Pakistan and India used to play the Sahara Cup series in Toronto but it was abandoned after the 1999 Kargil conflict and the following political and diplomatic fallout between the two countries.

Pakistan has, however, turned down an invitation from the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council to play a tournament in September this year, Shaharyar said.

"Our schedule is very busy before the World Cup and the boys wanted some rest before the Champions Trophy. We don't want to take hasty decisions as far as playing at off-shore venues is concerned," he stated.