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LAHORE: Pakistan expect an “imminent breakthrough” in the revival of cricket ties with India, four years after they were severed, a senior cricket official said on Wednesday.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf and chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed held talks with their counterparts during a visit to India to watch the Indian Premier League final on Sunday.
“We held positive discussions on the revival of bilateral ties and expect a breakthrough very soon,” Ahmed told AFP, without confirming reports in Indian and Pakistani media that a short series is expected as early as December-January.
India broke off diplomatic and sporting ties with its neighbour after the 2008 attacks on Mumbai which left 166 people dead and were blamed on militants based in Pakistan.
But the visit last month of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to India has raised hopes the nuclear-armed rivals are eager to revive ties in sports, trade and travel.
Cricket, the major sport in both countries, was discussed between Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, with Singh passing the information on to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
As a result, the BCCI gave the green light to Pakistan’s domestic Twenty20 champions Sialkot Stallions’ participation in October’s Champions League.
“The BCCI very wisely wants one step at a time and hopefully there will be more talks on the sidelines of the ICC meeting in Malaysia next month and we are confident progress will be made on the revival of ties,” said Ahmed.
There has been no bilateral series since Pakistan’s tour to India in 2007.
However they have met on three occasions in multi-national events since Mumbai – Champions Trophy (2009 in South Africa), World Cup (2011 in Mohali) and Asia Cup (2012 in Dhaka).
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Comments (54) Closed
May 31, 2012 10:38am
What I see there is a bit Indian in every Pakistani and there is a bit Pakistani in every Indian, I don't know why we hate each other a lot while having too many similarities. I don't know why cant we respect our differences.
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May 31, 2012 07:47am
But before we let Pakistani players play in IPL Pakistan should also insure that Pakistan do not support terrorists. Because Indian people will never support people who supports terrorists.
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May 30, 2012 05:42pm
Must be joking?? Mumbai attack has not healed yet! injustice will be done to those who got killed!
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May 30, 2012 04:24pm
NOOOOOOO! absolutely not! Pakis are not allowed in India!
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May 30, 2012 04:51pm
Mr. porkchop on the contrary Indians are more than welcomed in Pakistan!
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May 30, 2012 05:00pm
Porkchop, I am really disappointed readying your comment. I am sure you are a literate person and when a literate person talks in this fashion, it looks like the loss of education. But I am sure you definitely doesn't want Pakis (we call radical insurgents as Pakis) in Pakistan as they are disgrace for our loving country. So do not worry, we will send our Pakistani Cricket players. By the way, make sure you keep control on your Shivis as they are worst than Pakis.
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May 30, 2012 05:38pm
I hope we see similar good news in that Pakistan takes action on militants who seek to harm India. Particularly the ones involved in the Mumbai attacks and also greater co-operation in providing voice and DNA samples and access to interrogate the suspected masterminds. Once Pakistan starts acting on these militants, I am sure that Pakistan's image and security situation will improve to allow cricket back in Pakistan.
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May 30, 2012 05:48pm
Cricket is a great way to make more friends. Many years ago I met an Indian family in Lahore who had come to watch an India Pakistan cricket match, we became good friends and he would visit us every year.I arranged for them to visit various parts of Pakistan, that was some 27 years ago. I live abroad since then, yet our friendship has endured all these years. We visited India and stayed with my friend in New Delhi, all his family came to see us even the military part of it. He had talked kindly of his experience visiting Pakistan. That is a small bridge, yet it is a connection.
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May 30, 2012 05:51pm
keep wishing.. but majority Indian wants Pakistani players playing on Indian soil. You have to work hard to work hard my friend to spread the hatred.
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May 30, 2012 06:02pm
No - Never again!
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May 30, 2012 06:04pm
Public opinion in India is dead against resumption of bilateral cricket ties. So a big NO.
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May 30, 2012 06:19pm
man, your thinking process is reflection of sick mind!
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May 30, 2012 08:01pm
No double games ! Only 2-3 % of pak population who are terorists & live in lawless areas of pakistan destroys the whole show ! But the establishment should bombard them & finish them to improve the image of their country !
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May 30, 2012 08:42pm
People like you are the reason why the two nations are divided. I could go on and say offensive things to Indians but I have a brain and I would much rather hope that issues are resolved ASAP.
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May 30, 2012 09:10pm
What's wrong with our PM?? :-(
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May 30, 2012 09:12pm
You seriously need to grow up as an individual my friend. You know you weren't raised such a bigot!
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May 30, 2012 09:18pm
Thats why you take all our singers. I could make an ignorant comment like you saying something such as "Indians aren't allowed on Pakistani forums" but if you wanna be here, show some respect. You're clearly a 12 year old.
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May 30, 2012 09:22pm
Well done to Zaka Ashraf for bringing positive reforms to Pak Cricket and not messing up like Ijaz Butt uptil now. I don't believe Zaka should be slaughtered over just one foolish move but it should be highlighted that it's reakky upsetting seeing him trying to suck up the Indian Cricket Board who in all fairness, do not give a crap about Pakistan or its cricket. I've spent a long time waiting for a Pakistan-India series but some things are downright degrading.
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May 30, 2012 10:54pm
Hey Porky don't be a hipocrate, why did IPL begged Wasim Akram to be their coach ???
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May 30, 2012 11:12pm
a very big noooooooooooooooooooooooooo to pakistanis better keep a safe distance from india we dont want any troublemakers in our land
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May 31, 2012 03:00am
BCCI will be making biggest mistake of their lives if they invite Pak. Lot of people in India are angry after 26/11.If you think safety matters then please stay away!,
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May 31, 2012 03:45am
y r they dying to have ties with india....
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May 31, 2012 03:48am
Yeah we are missing pakistani players in IPL.
I think if likes of Afridi, Umar Akmal Play in India, people like du plesis, ryder etc would find no place in playing eleven.
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May 31, 2012 04:02am
hey porkchop its coz of ppl like you (narrow minded) that these 2 countries have hostile relations with each other!
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May 31, 2012 04:04am
Yes, you are correct............They should not be allowed in India
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May 31, 2012 04:23am
It would be great to see Pakistani cricketers participating in the Indian IPL.
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May 31, 2012 05:18am
Why not? Why you guys are afraid of Pakistani Cricketers? And BTW, who are you to decide whether Pakistanis are allowed or not allowed? If we can sign trade agreements then why not cricket agreement? I think both sides should stop this blame game and look forward for the betterment of their people.
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May 31, 2012 05:35am
Indians are not allowed to play in BPL in Bangladesh... Yahooooooo.......
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May 31, 2012 05:57am
We are not atall missing Pak players we are happy with present system ... please do not spoil our peace
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May 31, 2012 06:25am
@cowchop"
HATRED is Written all OVER on your Nick name itself buddy and still you are preaching LOVE?
99% of Indians Does Not Like Pakistani Cricket or Cricketers playing In India or in IPL.
IPL is a Big Success without Paki Players for Last 4 seasons, So We don't NEED PAKISTANI PLAYERS Anymore. We Indian People will decide whom to paly or Not IF PM or BCCL Prez allows Pakistani Cricketers there will be a Million people ready to FILE a Petition in Indian Supreme Court against that Decision.
Also We Indians or India Does NOT Want ANY dealing With Pakistan
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May 31, 2012 07:04am
You wouldn't be saying the same thing if you lost your loved ones in the Mumbai attack...I am a person who lost a loved one.. and I am against this..
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May 31, 2012 07:10am
listen we can survive with out indians ,.,,trust me i would rather play with bangalies brothers....
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May 31, 2012 07:38am
IPL begged ur your cricketer and cricket board is begging to include them in IPL.This is a particular problem with pakistan,they urge and when allowed on mercy.They thought it is a guest who can't live without them.Guys grow up,IPL has a budget which your cricket academy have for around 20 years.That is a sheer reason why your cricketers want to come here.So please try to live in reality..
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May 31, 2012 07:42am
A lot of people feels the same pain but our Government is shameless.These people want to give chance to same Government who is involved in undeclared war with India.I think allowing them to play cricket in India is like Giving certificate to them that you can do anything in India and we will not break any type of ties with you.What a shame!!!!!!!!!!!
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May 31, 2012 07:49am
Pakistanis please keep away from india-play in other league we don't want troublemakers in our country
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May 31, 2012 07:50am
Really? Your gonna play the 'are you afraid' card? In very simple terms its like when you fight with a friend and feel bad about it, stop talking to the friend and give some time for the wounds to heal. And its not like 'oh hey, we just signed a trade agreement so lets start an ODI series tomorrow' things take time. However I agree with people who say that it would be a good to have Pakistani players in the IPL. There are many talented Pakistani players and it would be good to see an Indian and a Pakistani on the same team.
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May 31, 2012 10:06am
When the name is BPL how can they pay for Indian players? Bangladesh do not have enough resources.
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May 31, 2012 09:13am
Indians dont play in poor tournament
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May 31, 2012 09:22am
and what about after match comments from Pakistanis
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May 31, 2012 09:34am
Yeah, India should not welcome Pakistan until they have not take action against terrorist who terrorize Mumbai..
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May 31, 2012 10:13am
BPL heeheeeheeeee,
Who cares, by the way Bangladesh will Do anything to Include Indian Players in BPL coz Indian Cricketers are More respected than Pakis.
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May 31, 2012 10:17am
@TXDTTT,
NO Not at all 99% of Indians Does NOT LIKE Pakistani Cricketers Play on our SOIL.
Also your Shahid Afridi said that WE INDIANS (read Hindus) ARE WITHOUT A BIG HEART AND NOT GOOD PEOPLE, We are Still the same people with small Heart so LET pakistan Play with People with BIGGG HEART Like Saudi Arabi, Iraq, Iran , Timbukutu etc.
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May 31, 2012 10:41am
hahaha u dont have nay choice as u cant ban indians here .. they make more quality comments than you .. and plus indians dominate most IT domains .. so there .... accept the humiliation
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May 31, 2012 11:02am
better not play cricket with India. and im also in favour not trade with India untill India evacuate Kashmir lands.
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May 31, 2012 11:32am
If we are helping the terrorists against India, so tell me who is giving support terrorists against Pakistan
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May 31, 2012 11:54am
pakistan is not at all seriouse in bring the culprits of 26/11 to justice , let them do that first .then will think about cricket
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May 31, 2012 12:28pm
don't you see the comments from Indians in this blog! it is a big Noooooooooooooooooooo!
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May 31, 2012 12:30pm
yeah! but after seeing the Pakis over the years that is the simple reaction, got it???
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May 31, 2012 01:00pm
Reading all the comments above, it is evident that Indians are commenting negative more than anyone else and yet they are blaming others of spreading hatred. To talk and behave positive one has to think positive. If I say that all Indians are like Dawood Ibrahim, is this statement correct? Or all Indians are corrupt and criminals because majority of their MPs are criminals (proven fact). You will feel ashamed and obviously feel offended. These statements are surely not true because I believe all five fingers are not the same. So please do not lable all Pakistanis terrorists because of a few who support terrorism. Remove id cards / ration cards / passorts and then prove me that one is an Indian or a Pakistani, you would find it impossible.
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May 31, 2012 01:28pm
i agreed!
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May 31, 2012 01:59pm
NOOOOOOOOO!!! Not till the perpetrators of 26/11 are brought to justice.
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May 31, 2012 02:37pm
Sahara Group of India is giving money for Bangladesh Club (BPL), without Indians BPL will not survive.
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May 31, 2012 11:20pm
I do not know what you are trying to say, it makes no sense. I support good and friendly relations betewween the two countries, In a small way I have contributed towards it. I have a lot of Indian friends from all regions and it's great to know them, likewise they have the same experience meeting us.
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Jun 01, 2012 04:58am
even if india and pak will play together very soon.....i m just wondering how can this guy afridi who made bad comments about indian hearts can come and play in india???? BIG NO
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