Chairman PCB returned to Karachi on 5th December 2005 after a brief visit to Mumbai where he met Mr Sharad Pawar, the newly elected President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Mr. Shaharyar M Khan congratulated Mr Sharad Pawar on his success at the elections. The discussions between Mr Shaharyar M Khan and Mr Sharad Pawar who was accompanied by senior Board members were held in a positive ambiance reflecting the cooperative relation between the two Boards. During the meeting several outstanding issues were discussed and resolved.

The following are the results of the discussions:

1. Postponement of Asia Cup. At the BCCI's request, it was agreed that the Asia Cup scheduled for the 2nd half of February would be postponed and rescheduled to a later date at the convenience of all participating countries. The rationale for the postponement was that the Asia Cup was being tightly sandwiched between India's tour to Pakistan and England's visit to India. The current Asia Cup schedule would have produced a heavy burden on the players and organizers. India is currently the President of ACC and was in contact with other Asian members as also the ICC in arriving at the decision.

2. Schedule of India’s tour to Pakistan 2006. As a result of the postponement of the Asia Cup the schedule of the India team's visit to Pakistan has been revised as follows:

a. The India team will arrive in Pakistan on January 6, 2006.
b. One three-day practice match will be held in Lahore (8-10 January).
c. First Test Lahore (14-18 January)
d. Second Test Faisalabad (22-26 January)
e. Third Test Karachi (30 January-3 February)

The Tests would be followed by five ODIs in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan and Karachi to be played between 6-21 February. These venues and dates, agreed in principle, would be liable to confirmation by both Governments.

3. Scheduling of Pakistan-India series. Both sides agreed that too frequent matches between Pakistan and India were liable to satiate public interest and commercial returns. It was agreed that these icon Series would be played alternately every two years on the pattern of the Ashes.

4. Future Tour Programme. It was agreed that the new 6-year cycle in the Future Tours Programme should leave sufficient gaps for players to rest between tours and avoid the cramped tours and surfeit of cricket that the current 4-year cycle was engendering. Both sides agreed that the Asia Test Cup, the Afro-Asian Championship and the scheduling of the Asia Cup needed to be reviewed in consultation with ACC partners.

5. PILCOM and outstanding financial accounts. The Indian Board agreed to the settlement of all outstanding financial issues that have remained unresolved for long periods. The Pakistan Cricket Board would send its officials to meet the new Treasurer BCCI shortly so that the outstanding accounts can be reconciled and resolved expeditiously.

6. Quaid-e-Azam Trophy vs. Ranji Trophy Champions. BCCI agreed to Pakistan's two-year-old proposal that the champions of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the Ranji Trophy should meet alternately in the two countries. PCB has already presented a cup for the annual fixture and modalities to start this fixture will be taken in hand immediately.

7. School matches. It was also agreed that national schools' champions would play each other annually in alternate countries.

Abbas Zaidi
Director Board Operations

(Article: Copyright © 2005 Pakistan Cricket Board)