BCCI does not object to Karachi as venue

In a major departure from last year's stand, the Indian cricket board has not expressed any reservations about an itinerary proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board for next January's tour of that country, including a Test in Karachi and a one-dayer in Peshawar; cities the Indian board was anxious to avoid in 2004 for the potential threats they held.

According to a report in the News, a source in the Pakistan board said, "The Indians have just told us that they've referred the proposed itinerary, including the matter of playing a Test in Karachi, to their government quarters concerned. But an indication that this time they might agree to our proposal - has come in the form of them asking us to organise a practice game for them in Karachi prior to the Test."

Karachi has been a worry for touring teams mostly since - but also before - a bomb exploded outside a hotel where Pakistan and New Zealand were staying during a Test series in 2002. Recently, England refused to play a Test there. Another board official said that people expected India to be more understanding. The tremendous reception India received last year could be another reason they have not objected to any venues. The source said, "We've told them [the Indians] that if they didn't accept our proposals to play in Karachi, it'll fester a lot of resentment elsewhere as people expect them to understand our position more than any other country.

"But obviously we are not jumping the gun because we are expecting them to want to send a security delegation like they did last time for the inspection of all the proposed venues and to coordinate the security arrangements. But certainly this time the outcome should be different for Karachi."

The tour is expected to begin on January 2, 2006, with the series consisting of three Tests and five one-dayers.