NEW DELHI, Nov 25: With the government dithering over sending Mahendra Singh Dhoni and company for a full tour of Pakistan commencing Jan 4, former skipper Ramiz Raja has suggested that the BCCI should host the series in India instead.

“If security concerns are paramount then India and BCCI should host the series,” Ramiz told a private news channel on Monday. “I don’t see any reason why the series can’t be swapped because venues in India are ready.”

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt is slated to visit India to allay concerns within the BCCI following a meeting between the PCB officials and Indian diplomats, but there are indications the PCB is not against the idea of hosting the series at a neutral venue. Abu Dhabi has already offered its hospitality, with Sharjah and Dubai remaining the other two options.

Ramiz, however, said hosting an India-Pakistan series in the Gulf would be a ‘Mickey Mouse situation’.

“It will set an unhealthy, short-sighted precedent,” he said. “The game already has only a few teams which are eligible to carry themselves through five days of cricket with poise and dignity. It is imperative Tests are held where there are at least a few diehard fans of the longer format, because viewership is dwindling in traditionally strong centres as well.

“There is little cricket culture at neutral venues, so I don’t know if Tests there are a good idea. The West Indies-Pakistan ODI series held in Abu Dhabi attracted crowds only on Fridays and weekends, and it’ll be a waste if no one turns up to watch such a marquee Test series. It’s a Mickey Mouse situation in the boards. Besides, no one will be touring Pakistan in the near future if India doesn’t. Pakistan needs to host Tests because it invariably has a multiplier effect on the local cricket industry.”

Ramiz said dwindling crowds in India during the Indo-Australia series was a matter of huge concern: “I do believe India and Australia are playing too many Tests, at home and away. Also look at the packed calendar they have next year.”

India are currently slated to be in Pakistan till Feb 19, following which they tour New Zealand in March-April and West Indies in June-July. Then there’s the ICC World T20 in June as well. Throw in the IPL and there’s simply no breathing space for the handful of Indian players whose presence is imperative for generating public interest.

Ramiz also termed the upcoming Champions League, an offshoot of the inaugural IPL in which he will be commentating, as a ‘mixed bag’.—Agencies