Pakistan has offered to move next year's Asia Cup from Lahore to Bangladesh if India confirmed in writing that it would participate in the tournament.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia said from Colombo over telephone on Wednesday that he had made the offer with an objective to break the cricketing deadlock between the two countries.

"I have proposed to move the competition to Bangladesh but only if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) submits its government approval in writing to the Asia Cricket Council (ACC). Jagmohan Dalmiya (president of the BCCI) conveyed to me that he had verbal permission from New Delhi to play Pakistan in any multi-lateral tournaments on neutral venues. But I have asked for written permission before formally agreeing to shift the tournament," the General said.

New Delhi has banned its team from playing Pakistan in any bilateral series. The two teams last played a test series in India in 1999 while India's last test tour was way back in 1989-90. India, however, crossed border in 1997 for a three-match one-day series in connection with Pakistan's golden jubilee celebrations.

The two teams are scheduled to meet in next year's World Cup in South Africa on March 1 at Centurion.

The PCB Chairman met his Indian counterpart in the International Cricket Council (ICC) executive board meeting that concluded in Colombo on Sept 30.

The Asia Cup is tentatively scheduled at Lahore in September and besides the four Asian test playing countries, two associate member countries will also take part.

The PCB chairman said he had also conveyed it to the ICC and Dalmiya that Pakistan would not visit India until India toured Pakistan.

"India, according to ICC's future Tour Programme (FTP), is due to tour Pakistan next year in April-May. But I have told the ICC and BCCI that if India doesn't come, Pakistan will not honour its commitment the following year.

"I have asked the ICC to reschedule India's tour in 2004 in case India refuses to tour in 2003. At the same time, I have asked the ICC to alter the FTP since India has to visit Pakistan three times in six years."

Pakistan has not signed the FTP in the backdrop of uncertainty revolving around India's tours to Pakistan. Of the 10 test playing countries, only three have signed the contract.

Samiul Hasan
G.M. Media
October 2, 2002

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