Issues need to be sorted out for Pakistan series: BCCI

Kolkata, May 26 (IANS) The Indian cricket board on Monday said "certain issues" need to be sorted out before the resumption of bilateral series with Pakistan and affirmed that the series would get the go-ahead only after mutual agreement.

"A lot of things need to be looked in to. There are certain issues which were raised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief when he met BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya and me," said Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur here on Monday.

"We need to come to an agreement. Once we arrive at a mutual agreement, there will be a formal announcement. Then tour can take place."

PCB chief Shahryar Khan recently came here and met his Indian counterpart Dalmiya. Later, Khan said Pakistan was ready to host the bilateral series, comprising three Tests, five One-Day Internationals (ODI) and two T20 Internationals in the United Arab Emirates in December.

Dalmiya has also exuded confidence about the resumption of bilateral engagements but said the support of the government was necessary for the plans to be affirmed.

The two neighbours, whose relations have often turned bitter, played their previous bilateral series in December-January 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for three ODIs. Earlier this month, sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the central government was in favour of holding the series.