India may play Pakistan in Dubai; BCCI seeks govts nod

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Board of Control for Cricket in India has on Wednesday written a letter to Indian government seeking permission to play Pakistan to complete their obligations under the Future Tours & Programme (FTP) agreement which was inked in 2014.

According to Indian media reports, Permission has been sought from Indian Home Ministry in this regard. Last time, the tension between the two countries was at its peak. “Also, there is the FTP agreement that needs to be fulfilled and that’s why the board is willing to travel to Dubai to play a series against Pakistan. Unless the government gives its nod, the BCCI cannot do anything.”

India may play Pakistan in Dubai later this year in a series consisting of three Tests, five one day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals.

Political tension between the two neighboring countries has marred any possibility of India and Pakistan facing each other on the cricket field outside International Cricket Council (ICC) competitions since 2012.

The two arch-rivals have only played at International Cricket Council (ICC) events since 2012 and all bilateral series have been either canceled or postponed.

According to the FTP, it was Pakistan’s turn to host India in 2014, which could not materialize. Attempts by former BCCI president Shashank Manohar and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shahrayar Khan to negotiate a bilateral series were derailed by Shiv Sena-led protests.