Pakistan Cricket Board Hints at 'Good News' Amid Uncertainty Over India Clash

While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) keeps on mulling over its stance to boycott the February 15 clash against India, former chairman Najam Sethi has hinted at “good news" for Pakistan cricket, which would be announced by Mohsin Naqvi in the coming days. According to the Hindustan Times, both Naqvi and Sethi attended the auction of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise on Monday. Speaking at the event, Sethi teased some upcoming ‘good news’ for Pakistan cricket but did not provide specific details. “I think you will hear some good news beyond the PSL, thanks to Mohsin Naqvi, in the next day or two. I think the less said, the better about that right now," Sethi said. Naqvi welcomed the former PCB chief to the stage after Multan Sultans was sold to Walee Technologies, a media, technology, and finance firm, for a record Rs2.45 billion during the auction held in Lahore on Monday. “This franchise was created by Najam Sethi sahib, who started this journey. We are pleased that he is with us here today," Naqvi said while inviting Sethi to the stage. Earlier on Monday, a Cricbuzz report stated that the uncertainty surrounding the India vs Pakistan clash in Colombo on Sunday is likely to end soon, with indications that the Pakistan government may take a U-turn. Following discussions involving PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul and ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja, the issue has reached Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is expected to give his nod. In another report by PTI, Naqvi had proposed several demands, including the resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral cricket and a tri-series involving Bangladesh, to offset the losses incurred by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after not travelling to India for the global event. While the ICC does not oversee Indo-Pak bilateral cricket, the demand for a tri-series was rejected. India has not played in any tri-nation tournament for over a decade. However, the ICC might consider awarding the next men’s U19 World Cup to Bangladesh. (With PTI Inputs)