'India scared of playing Pakistan after Champions Trophy defeat'
The last bilateral cricket series between Pakistan and India was played in 2012.
LAHORE (Agencies) - Shaharyar Khan, Pakistan Cricket Board chief, sparked controversy on Thursday by claiming that India were scared of playing Pakistan in a bilateral series following their humiliating defeat to their bitter rivals in the Champions Trophy final last month.
The Pakistan cricket board has been upset with their Indian counterparts for their reluctance to resume bilateral cricketing ties.
"After our win (in the Champions Trophy final), we challenge India to come and play bilateral cricket with us. They don t play us, they are scared of our team. They say we ll play you in ICC matches but they won t play us otherwise," Shaharyar was quoted as saying by Pakpassion.com on Thursday.
India last played a bilateral cricket series with Pakistan in 2012 when Misbah-ul Haq s men beat MS Dhoni s team 2-1 in a one-day series.
The two cricket boards did sign an MoU to play bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. But the Indian cricket board didn t get the permission from their government to go ahead with the plan due to the political tensions between the two rival countries.
Meanwhile, Shaharyar said Pakistan must build on their stunning Champions Trophy triumph.
"We need to build on this victory. It s not enough, we need to go a lot further. All cricket teams in Pakistan should take an example from this team," Shaharyar said.
"Be united with the right spirit and attitude, give importance to fielding and fitness and include youth in all teams," he added.
Shaharyar also hoped that international cricket will soon return to Pakistan.
"After this win, every team will want to play us. They should now come to Pakistan, there is complete security. God-willing, teams will start coming. We are in negotiations with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and West Indies. They can send their teams first for a short tour, maybe for just T20Is," he said.
