Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf welcomed the announcement of Pak-India series schedule and said that the series was long due. Talking to reporters, Zaka said: "This is great news for the peoples of both Pakistan and India. You cannot just clap with one hand. Both countries need each other and that strengthens the relationship."
Schedule
December 22: Arrival in Bangalore
December 25: First T20 international in Bangalore
December 27: Second T20 international in Ahmedabad
December 30: First ODI in Chennai
January 3: Second ODI in Kolkata
January 6: Third ODI in Delhi.
He said this series will be a big breakthrough and a revival of our cricketing relationship with India. He said cricket boards have generally agreed to the series but clearance of the Indian government is always required. He said credit goes to President Asif Ali Zardari who played his role for the revival of cricket ties between the two countries.
BCCI had earlier invited Pakistan for a bilateral series, the first in five years and just recently secured government clearance for Pakistan to tour India.
Zaka expressed optimism that foreign teams would also tour Pakistan after resumption of Pak-Indian cricket ties. He said that India should let its players play in the Pakistan Premier League while allowing Pakistani players to do the same in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"Pakistanis should be allowed to play in the IPL; it is a good tournament. Both India and Pakistan should release their players for each other. That would encourage and strengthen bilateral ties," he said.