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29 March 2024

New PCB chief for revival of Indo-Pak matches

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene gets dismissed as Pakistan's wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed looks on during the second one-day international against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday. (AFP)

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By Staff

Recently-appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf has said that staging Pakistan–India matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium would be “fantastic”.

Watching his side face Sri Lanka at the venue in Monday’s second One-Day International (ODI), he said: “This venue is very beautifully designed and a very nice environment.

“I really enjoy it, sitting here at the Dubai (International) Cricket Stadium, and if India and Pakistan matches are here then I think it would be fantastic for everybody, for all the people that would be here watching those matches, and I think it should come back.”

The cricketing rivals and neighbours have played only three matches against each other since December 2007, all of them ODIs in multi-team tournaments rather than bilateral series.

And they have not played each other in the UAE since April 2006.

Ashraf said he was actively seeking to re-start cricketing ties between the neighbours.

“I discussed this with the ICC and they’re all supportive of this,” he said. “That’s why I want to take the initiative to request the Indian Cricket Board, and we will go to the Indian government also.

“So let’s go for this healthy sport. Why should people be deprived of it?”

Pakistan’s ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka continues at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday with the teams locked at 1-1 following Sri Lanka’s 25-run win in the second match.