Staff Report

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq and cricketer Muhammad Hafeez has welcomed the Indian invitation for a short series, hoping for improvement of ties between the two neighbours, SAMAA reports.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Monday that New Delhi would invite Pakistan for a series later this year which is first in five years.

“It will be very important series for India and Pakistan and cricket world as well. This is good news and both the countries and reviving cricket relations…Players are happy and we enjoy it,” Misbah said while speaking to newsmen here.

“We have always enjoyed playing against each other. Players and cricket fans eagerly wait for such events since Pak-India matches are nail-biting,” Muhammad Hafeez, the Twenty20 format captain said.

If approved by the two governments, the series would likely be three one-day internationals in December-January.

"It was decided to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan by inviting the Pakistan cricket team for a short series in December 2012-January 2013," the Indian cricket board, the BCCI, said in a statement.

"The modalities will be worked out shortly."

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf told local television channels that Pakistan was still waiting for a formal invitation, but said "it seems it will surely be held later this year". -- SAMAA