No Indo-Pak series unless Govt clears: BCCI

“Let talks at some level commence between the two countries. Then only the two boards can talk (about resuming cricketing ties), but not before addressing the pending matters. The final call is with the Union government,” BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, who is a BJP Member of Parliament, told reporters in New Delhi on Monday.

Relations between the neighbours have been tense after the collapse of planned peace talks between India and Pakistan in August this year. The two countries last played each other in a bilateral ODI series hosted by India, in 2012-13.

Earlier on Monday, a meeting between BCCI president Shashank Manohar and his Pakistan counterpart Shahryar Khan was cancelled following protests by hundreds of Shiv Sena activists at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, against India having cricketing ties with Pakistan.

A cash-strapped Pakistan board has been forcing India to honour the MoU commitment at a neutral venue. The BCCI reportedly is keen to host the series if the India government gives its clearance.

ICC withdraws Pakistan’s Aleem Dar after Sena protests

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has withdrawn prominent Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar from officiating in the final two One-Dayers between India and South Africa to be held in Chennai and Mumbai respectively in the wake of the Sena protests. Dar had officiated in the first three ODIs.

“The ICC has made the decision following Monday’s incident in Mumbai where a group of extremists stormed the BCCI offices and threatened to prevent the umpire from standing in the fifth ODI on Sunday. Under the present circumstances, it will be unreasonable to expect from Aleem that he will be able to perform his duties to the best of his abilities. As such, he will be withdrawn and his replacement will be announced in due course,” an unnamed ICC official was quoted by Indian media on Tuesday.

Akram and Akhtar pull out

News reports also said that former Pakistan fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, currently in India on TV commentary work for the India-South Africa series, will skip the final match in Mumbai and head home after the Chennai game.