PCB confirms BCCI offer to host Indo-Pak series

"Shashank Manohar called me up on Friday evening and told me they have got clearance from their government to play against us. But he said they wanted to play the series in India and not in the UAE," Shaharyar Khan was quoted as saying by Zee News.

The PCB chief revealed that the BCCI has promised stringent security measures along with a share in the revenue that will be generated from the series.

"Manohar also said that the Indian board would provide the best security to our team and schedule the matches in places like Mohali and Kolkata where there is no problem at playing a Indo-Pak match. Thirdly he said that the Indian board would devise a formula to ensure that we don't suffer any loss of revenues for playing our home series in India," he added.

Khan, however, was quick to express his concern about the proposal, pointing out that it went against the agreement signed by the PCB and the BCCI, along with concerns about the safety of the team.

"Why should we play our home series in India and not in UAE which is stated in the MOU and there is the matter of security for our team and plus the nearly USD 50 million that we expect to earn from hosting the series.

"I told Manohar how can we play in India when there is so much anti-Pakistan sentiments there by some of their groups. We have played our last two series in India and I think it is time we now got to host the series," the PCB chief said.

Recently officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) traveled to India with hopes of holding talks regarding the bilateral series between India and Pakistan in UAE in December. Talks, however, broke down midway after the BCCI offices were stormed by Shiv Sena protestors.

Khan also reminded that the PCB did not have the authority to accept the offer. He said, "But more importantly I have to first also seek clearance from the prime minister for any decision we take. At the moment I have told the Indian cricket chief to send us a detailed proposal in writing."

Earlier today, chairman of PCB's executive committee, Najam Sethi, expressed his displeasure at the prospect of India hosting the series. "In my personal opinion we should not go to India as it is our home series and the BCCI should honor the MOU they signed with us which states Pakistan will host this series," Sethi told the media.