Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shaharyar Khan did a U-turn on his earlier statement on considering the option of boycotting matches with India in ICC and other multi-team events.
Talking to the media in Lahore on Tuesday, Khan adopted damage control mode, insisting that if India did not play the planned series with Pakistan in December he alone cannot decide the next course of action.
"If India doesn’t play the series we will see what has to be done, but I alone can’t take any decision. I will consult the Prime Minister and the PCB Governing body on this," he said.
The former career diplomat's changed tone apparently came about after a strong reaction from Rajeev Shukla, a senior Board of Control for Cricket in India official, to his threat of boycotting all matches with India.
Shukla had said there are no chances of a series with Pakistan in December as the Indian board needs government clearance and some issues with the
PCB need to be sorted out.
To the threat of boycotting matches with India, Shukla had said the ICC has laws to deal with Pakistan if they decide against playing India in ICC events.
Shaharyar also disclosed that he received a reply from BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur to the letter he wrote on August 28 to confirm the status of the December series in the UAE.
"The matter will now be discussed at the next meeting of the ICC which is round the corner,” he said.
Khan, who leaves for India on Wednesday, also made it clear that he is going to simply offer condolences to the family of late Jagmohan Dalmiya.
"There is no other purpose to the visit. Dalmiya was a personal friend and a supporter of having bilateral Indo-Pak cricket ties. He was hopeful about having the series in December. I am just going there to offer my condolences and pay tribute to an outstanding cricket administrator," he said.
He added that the PCB, despite some statements from across the border, has still not given up hope on having the series in December.
"Recent statements on the Pakistan cricket team from the Indian government are encouraging signs for us."
Should India play Pakistan in the UAE?
