KARACHI: Zaka Ashraf, Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has described the resumption of Pak-India cricket ties as a “heartening and encouraging sign.” Ashraf believes the move will bring the two nations closer together as well as serve as an effective medium for boosting the economy in the region.

Ashraf is scheduled to visit India in the first half of December to hold talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

A PCB official also claimed that Ashraf’s upcoming visit has been scheduled after the BCCI expressed interest in resuming bilateral cricket ties.

"The PCB Chairman himself is attaching a lot of importance to the visit as it will be an official one that has been encouraged by the Indian board," the official added.

Ashraf wrote a letter to his counterpart in the Indian cricket board seeking a resumption of cricketing ties between the two rival nations.

Sources within the PCB revealed the BCCI had responded positively to the Chairman’s request and have offered to host him at the BCCI headquarters to meet with his Indian counterparts.

Ashraf said, “It is the result of our six months continuous efforts that finally we have reached an positive outcome and hopefully this series will help further improve ties between the two countries“.

PCB officials added that "the Indian Board itself has invited Ashraf to visit India and discuss cricket issues including next year’s Pakistan tour to India.”