Butt keen on good relations with BCCI

Karachi (PTI): Pakistan Cricket Board's new chairman Ejaz Butt is keen to have the support of the influential BCCI in bilateral relations and on the international forum.

Butt said it was important to have good relations with the Indian Board if Pakistan wanted to remain strong in the International Cricket Council (ICC). Butt is due to meet with the new president of the Indian Board Shashank Manohar on the sidelines of the ICC executive board meeting in Dubai next week.

Describing Manohar as a thorough gentleman, Butt said he was hopeful the meeting would prove to be productive for Pakistan cricket. He was also confident that India would undertake its Test tour of Pakistan next January despite the growing concerns over security situation in the country.

India has approved itinerary for the tour comprising three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game but has made it clear their tour was subject to clearance from their government. The Indians are also due to send a security delegation before the tour to give a report on the situation in Pakistan.

"I am confident because India was one of the few countries, which insisted the Champions Trophy must be held in Pakistan on schedule and teams should accept security assurances of the Pakistan Board and government," he stated.