The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is optimistic of playing India in a Test series next year, Chairman Zaka Ashraf has said. “The Indian board chief, N Srinivasan, didn’t come to attend the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Singapore, so the issue of next year’s series could not be discussed,” The Daily Times quoted Ashraf, as saying. “But I will meet him next month on the sidelines of the ICC meeting in Dubai and hopefully some solution can be found to having the series with India,” he added.

Ashraf’s statement came after the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed that the Asia Cup would be held as per schedule in Bangladesh, which ruled out the possibility of Pakistan touring India around the same time for the Test series. The fifth edition of the IPL is scheduled to commence around April 12. Ashraf, however, said he was not disappointed with the ACC decision.

“I think the Asia Cup had to be held on schedule. But when I meet with Srinivasan next month I see some ray of hope for the bilateral series,” he said. Ashraf also said Pakistan had no problem with the Bangladesh board and he was in Dhaka to give a detailed presentation on the security arrangements for their team if they decided to tour Pakistan next year as per the Future Tours Programme. “If we can’t play India than we have to look at playing other teams and my main objective is to try to convince the Bangladesh board officials that we can host their team in Pakistan and provide them the best security,” he said.