BCCI official in Lahore to discuss itinerary

The BCCI official is to meet PCB president and President Musharraf to convince them that Ahmedabad was a safe venue for a Test match.

A top official of the Indian cricket board is flying to Lahore to meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Shaharyar Khan - and possibly President Pervez Musharraf - to assure them Ahmedabad is a safe venue for a Test match.

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A PCB source said BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla would meet Khan either Tuesday or Wednesday to convince him that Ahmedabad was safe for the team to visit.

"Mr Shukla will be meeting Shaharyar either on Tuesday or Wednesday, if not on Monday itself at the marriage of the son of (former Pakistan prime minister) Shujaat Hussain, to discuss the Ahmedabad issue," the source told IANS from Lahore.

The official said that the occasion would give Shukla an opportunity to discuss the tricky issue of venues with the PCB top brass, and possibly Musharraf, who is also expected to attend the marriage reception.

It is not known if the PCB's refusal to play at Ahmedabad has the sanction of Musharraf, who is the board's patron-in-chief.

"This occasion (the wedding) would give a good opportunity to Shukla to possibly meet Musharraf and explain his viewpoint," said the source.