BCCI to discuss revival of India -Pakistan cricketing ties

Resumption of India's bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan would be up for discussion in a BCCI meeting next month, the Indian Board''s vice-President RajeevShukla has said.

"The series is on our agenda and we will make the final decision after assessing the pros and cons in our meeting. The series is scheduled for next year and there is still a lot of time left," Shukla told the ''Express Tribune'' daily newspaper.

The BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board recently held a meeting in Hong Kong on the sidelines of the ICC annual conference in which resumption of bilateral cricket ties was discussed.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said Indian officials had assured they would get back with a response on resumption of bilateral ties after seeking some clarity from their government.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad told PTI that the board was following the announcement by All India Football Federatiion President Praful Patel that Pakistan and India''s football teams would be playing a three-match series in the United Kingdom from August 25.

There is also a hyped up confrontation between Harbhajan and Graeme Swann for their different yet highly successful bowling styles.

"I find it strange that it''s me who has to prove against all new off-spinners when it should be the other way around.

If lasting 13 years in international cricket was that easy, you would have had dozens and not a mere four spinners in the 400-plus list.

"Having said that, it would of interest to me to see how Swann turns up against our batting greats."

And how he himself would bowl to the likes of SachinTendulkar, RahulDravid and VVSLaxman?

"They all are different. Against Sachin, I would like to plug his run-scoring areas -- the whip through onside; the paddle sweep, the late cut he imparts against full pitched deliveries. Fields for Dravid and Laxman would also be different."

Harbhajan then casts his mind at the England venues where four Tests between the two teams would be played, starting July 21.

"Lord's can be flat; and so could be Oval. The latter, if it helps spinners, could be a difficult venue for the batters because of the bounce in the pitch. Nottingham usually provides early nip. It could have something for the bowlers even on the last day. I haven''t played a Test in Edgbaston (Birmingham) yet."

India have lost four of their five Tests in Edgbaston.

However, they have won a Test each at Lord''s, Oval and Trent Bridge. Headingley is the only venue where India has won twice -- in 1986 and 2002.