PCB chief to use IPL invite to talk about series

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Zaka Ashraf will use his invite to this weekend's Indian Premier League final as a chance to talk about resuming bilateral series with India.

Ashraf has accepted the invitation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to the final in Chennai on Sunday.

The bilateral series has been suspended since 2008 after the terror attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people.

Ashraf said on Tuesday he will be talking with his Indian counterparts on resuming cricketing ties.

"Slowly the ice is melting," he said.

Last week, the BCCI said it will invite the Pakistan Twenty20 champion Sialkot Stallions to this year's Champions League.

Ashraf said India could be an option as Pakistan's home venue for the August tour by Australia.

Australia will play five one-day internationals and three Twenty20s with Pakistan before the World Twenty20 in September. Pakistan has shortlisted the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Zimbabwe and South Africa as venues, and India may be considered, Ashraf said.

"We are seeing where the cost will be less," he said. "If the cost is less (in India) there's no harm in organizing Pakistan's home series at some good venue."

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.