PCB expects 'breakthrough' in Pak-India cricketing ties

Islamabad, May 31 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf, during a recent visit to India to watch the Indian Premier League final, held talks with his counterpart, raising expectations of an 'imminent breakthrough' in the revival of cricket ties with India, four years after they were severed.

"Ashraf held positive discussions on the revival of bilateral ties and (we) expect a breakthrough very soon," the Daily Times quoted a PCB spokesman, as saying.

India had broken off diplomatic and sporting ties with Pakistan after the 2008 attacks on Mumbai. However, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's visit to India last month raised hopes the nuclear-armed rivals are eager to revive ties in sports, trade and travel.

Cricket, the major sport in both countries, was discussed between Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, with Singh passing the information on to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). As a result, the BCCI gave the green light to Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 champions Sialkot Stallions' participation in October's Champions League.

"The BCCI very wisely wants one step at a time and hopefully there will be more talks on the sidelines of the ICC meeting in Malaysia next month and we are confident progress will be made on the revival of ties," said the PCB spokesman.

There has been no bilateral series since Pakistan's tour to India in 2007. However they have met on three occasions in multi-national events since the Mumbai attacks- Champions Trophy (2009 in South Africa), World Cup (2011 in Mohali) and Asia Cup (2012 in Dhaka). (ANI)