Itinerary for India-Pakistan series delayed

With just over a month-and-a-half left before the Indian team's tour to Pakistan, the itinerary for the series still hasn't been finalised, with both boards unable to reach an agreement over whether to start off with the Tests or the one-day internationals. A Press Trust of India report quoted a source in the Pakistan board as saying: "Since both the cricket boards have not been able to reach an understanding, the tour itinerary has not been announced as yet, nor has the Pakistan Cricket Board started making preparations for the important series."

The Indian board is apparently keen to begin with the five one-day internationals before moving on to the three Tests, but the PCB has insisted on starting with the Tests.

Explaining the logic of playing the Tests first, the PCB source said: "The argument is that by having the Tests first they will attract crowds to the stadiums. But if they have the traditionally crowd-pulling ODIs first it will take the gloss off the Test series." The BCCI, however, believes that since both teams would be going into that series after playing ODIs - the Indians are playing the VB Series in Australia while Pakistan are playing a five-match one-day series in New Zealand - it would make sense to begin with the one-dayers.

The delay in finalising the itinerary means that the PCB has been left with very little time to make arrangements for a series which is expected to be a huge moneyspinner for the board. To add to the problems, the PCB has decided to organise the matches directly at all venues instead of delegating the responsibilities to the provincial or regional cricket associations.