PCB to discuss bilateral tours with Dalmiya

Bilateral cricket tours are set to dominate discussions which the Pakistan Cricket Board plans to have with BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya when he arrives in Rawalpindi on Thursday, the third day of the series-deciding Test between the arch-rivals.

"We are expecting to have some discussions with the BCCI President on future bilateral cricket tours with India," PCB Chief Executive Rameez Raja said.

After the success of the Indian tour of Pakistan, the PCB was keen to regularise bilateral cricket exchanges with India, Raja was quoted as saying by local daily The News.

"If possible we will hold initial discussions with Dalmiya on when Pakistan can tour India early next year for a return visit and also on the proposed plan to have a six-match one-day international series in both countries later this year."

Raja said Pakistan was keen to play the "Friendship Series" wherein three matches would be hosted by India and three by Pakistan but wanted to know when the Indian Board could slot in the matches because of the packed international schedule of both teams.

But the CEO said said what was confirmed was that both teams would be playing with Australia in a triangular one-day series in Amstelveen, Holland in late August.

"The venue has been inspected and cleared and the details would be worked out soon," he said.

Dalmiya had visited Karachi for the first one-dayer on March 13 which was also attended by International Cricket Council President Ehsan Mani.