Pakistan willing to tour India

If India's reaction to a tour of Pakistan, because of circumstances that involve government clearance, continues to be lukewarm, Pakistan has expressed more than just eagerness that cricketing ties on a bilateral basis should be resumed. Going by rotation, it is India's turn to tour Pakistan for our neighbours visited this country in January-February 1999 for a two Test series and the Asian Test Championship match in Calcutta. Since then of course a lot of water has flown under the bridge. The political relations have ebbed and flowed. But on cricketing relations, Pakistan seem determined that it must resume while the Indian stand has been a let's wait and see approach.

Now, in the latest twist to the episode, Pakistan has indicated that it is even willing to send a team to India in case the Indians are hesitant to visit Pakistan. If the Indians are unable to fulfill their commitment to tour that country later this year, Pakistan is even willing to send some of the top players to plead with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to help revive the series.

According to an agency report, a BCCI source indicated on Monday that PCB chief Lt Gen Tauqir Zia had asked his Indian counterpart AC Muthiah to salvage India's tour to Pakistan and in case this was not possible, he was willing to send the Pakistan team to India.

India is scheduled to tour Pakistan in December-January, 2001 but the Board of Control for Cricket in India requires clearance from the government.

The Indian government had earlier refused permission to the cricket team to take part in the annual Sahara Cup series against Pakistan in Toronto citing that country's support to cross-border terrorism as the reason. And the situation has not improved for the Indian Government to change its stand, the source said.

BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele has said the board would wait till November 15 for the government clearance. "If no clearance comes by that time, the tour would not be on," he said.

It is reported that even Pakistani coach Javed Miandad has asked his Indian counterpart Anshuman Gaekwad to use his influence in reviving the tour. At the moment though it can be said that the tour appears to be doubtful.