PCB chief Ashraf says 'revival of cricketing ties with India Pak's toughest task'

Islamabad - Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf has said reviving cricketing ties with India has been the toughest task of his tenure so far, and expressed the hope that cricket fans in both countries won't have to wait for long to see their favourite players compete against each other.

Ashraf said that cricket ties between both countries were improving.

"Relations between the boards are improving and the steps taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are appreciable in this regard," The Express Tribune quoted Ashraf, as saying.

"The invitation to Sialkot Stallions was the first step towards rebuilding good relations. In India, I met the politicians, the media and the BCCI officials. All were supportive for the revival of bilateral series," he added.

Both countries have not played a series since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, but Ashraf claimed that the wait wouldn't be too long now.
 
"The fans will get good news soon. The BCCI President N Srinivasan said that the matter would be discussed during the International Cricket Council's (ICC) annual conference in Kuala Lumpur. I felt that the Indian board wants to resume matches this year," Ashraf said.

"Reviving cricket ties with India is the toughest task from Pakistan's point of view," he added.