Sialkot Stallions in Champions League T20 will revive Indo-Pak cricket: PCB

Islamabad, July 6 (ANI): Hailing the decision of the Champions League T20 Organising Committee to invite Pakistan's Sialkot Stallions to play in the qualifying stage of the tournament, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has said that this could be the first step towards the revival of bilateral cricketing ties with India.

Pakistan's domestic T20 champions got an official invitation from the organising committee of the Champions League, which includes the cricket boards of India, South Africa and Australia, to be one of the six teams to play in the qualifying stage this year.

"We see this as a very positive development and since India is one of the main stake holders in the Champions League obviously it is the first step towards the revival of bilateral ties with India," the spokesman was quoted, as saying.

Sialkot Stallions will have to compete with five other teams in the qualifying stage to grab one of the two spots available to qualify for the main round of the competition.

Due to strained relations after the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008, India has avoided inviting either Pakistan cricketers for the Indian Premier League (IPL), or a team from Pakistan for the Champions League, the Daily Times reports.

The PCB official said that an official invitation had come from the organisers, the executive coordination committee of the PCB would discuss it on July 4.

The cricket boards of India, Australia and South Africa jointly own and operate the Champions League, which is a tournament contested by the domestic T20 champions from Test playing nations. (ANI)