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Karachi: Cricketing ties between India and Pakistan are on the mend and the arch-rivals might play a short, bi-lateral series in England next year, PCB chairman Ejaz Butt told the Governing Council in Pakistan.
A member of the council said that Butt had given the members a briefing on his recent visit to India and meeting with Indian board officials at Saturday's meeting.
"Butt told us that he had a very positive discussion with (former BCCI president) Sharad Pawar who told him that if relations kept on improving between the two countries steadily there was a strong possibility that Pakistan and India can play a short series in England next year to revive bilateral ties," the member said.
He said Butt had also indicated that Pakistan might have to play some of its 2011 World Cup matches in India when the draws are announced on Monday.
"Butt briefed us that he was in touch with the government functionaries and had briefed them as well that Pakistan would have to play its World Cup matches in India if required to do so," he said.
Butt also warned that if Pakistan raised a lot of fuss about playing in India in 2011, BCCI would rule out any possibility of resuming bilateral ties with India next year.
The member said the council was told about the long term television rights deal that the PCB had with the Dubai based TEN Sports and how important it was for Pakistan to play some bilateral series with India to get maximum financial benefits from the contract.
"The contract is worth $140.5 million but most of the money is only payable by the channel if Pakistan and India play against each other in Pakistan or even at neutral venues," the member added.
The Indian board officials had said after informal discussions with Butt last week that there was no possibility of having concrete talks on resuming bilateral ties between the two countries at least for the next six months as the Indian team had a packed schedule.
