LAHORE, Dec 8: Due to the strained political situation currently between Pakistan and India in the aftermath of Mumbai terror incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt may not go to India on Friday to attend the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meetings in Chennai.

Discussion over the forthcoming Pakistan-India series, scheduled to be held in Pakistan, is expected to remain prominent during Ijaz’s proposed visit.

Well-informed sources told Dawn on Monday that Ijaz’s departure to India for the important assignment is subject to security clearance of the federal government.

And it is most likely that under the prevailing political scenario the government would not allow the cricket board’s chairman to go to India, sources said.

India are scheduled to visit Pakistan in January-February to play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 International.

However, attacks in Mumbai late last month have damaged the ongoing peace process between the two countries, also putting the much-awaited bilateral cricket series at risk.

Sources further said that the non-participation of any Indian cricket official in the ACC meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Dec 5 (Friday) also caused disappointment to the Asian block, which largely depends on the activities between Pakistan and India, the two major cricketing nations of the continent.

Ijaz is scheduled to leave for India on Wednesday and he will also witness the first Test between India and England in Chennai from Thursday.

Sources said though the Indian cricket authorities are still inviting Ijaz to attend the ACC meeting, only a security clearance of the government would pave the way for his visit.

The PCB has planned to host India at a neutral venue splitting the series between two countries — Malaysia and Abu Dhabi — to earn revenue besides giving some cricket to its players who have not played any Test match in the calendar year 2008.

However, sources said, Pakistan’s chances to host India at any neutral venue are also not bright as so far no affirmative signal from the Indian side has been received in this regard.

The PCB wants a top team to tour Pakistan as the country lost the two major events in 2008. First, Australia refused to come to Pakistan citing security concerns in March; then came postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy that was scheduled to be staged in September this year, with security again being the chief factor.

And now if India also does not agree to send its team to Pakistan or play the series on any neutral venue, the PCB will not only bear huge financial losses but its chances to stage home series against Australia and the ICC Champions Trophy next year will also diminish.