Shashank Manohar invites PCB for bilateral series talks

• Since he (Manohar) was not at the ICC meeting I phoned him and he invited me to tour India for talks: Khan.
• I told the BCCI officials during discussions with them in Dubai that they must confirm or reject the tour in the next 10 to 12 days: Khan.
• The ball is now in the court of the Indian Board: Khan.  

After long periods of impasse, the prospects of an India-Pakistan bilateral series in

December are back on as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar has invited the PCB for talks.

"Since he was not at the ICC meeting I phoned him and he invited me to tour India after a Working Committee meeting of the BCCI and I hope to get a final answer in eight to 10 days. I have told the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials during discussions with them in Dubai that they must confirm or reject the tour in the next 10 to 12 days ," Khan said at a media conference in Lahore.

Khan gave a further indication of the chances of the series when he revealed that newly-appointed BCCI boss is keen on having arch-rivals India and Pakistan coming together on the field and stressed on the importance of improving the relations between the two boards.

"The new president of the Indian board Shashank Manohar has assured us that he is keen on having Indo-Pak series and on resolving all issues between the two boards. We have stressed on the need to further improve relations between the two Boards. So there is no delay on our side we are ready. The ball is now in the court of the Indian Board," Khan said.

As per the Memorandum of Understanding that was penned by the two boards, a bilateral series was scheduled for December. However, given the complex nature of the political relationship between the two nations, there have always been doubts over whether the series will be conducted. This recent development of the 'invitation' from India's side - for talks - seems like a positive step towards making the series happen.