Mumbai, Jul 16: At last, the Borad of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today decided to invited the Pakistani team to play in India in December this year. The Pakistani team last visited India for a series tour in 1997.
A media release issued by BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said, it has been decided to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan by inviting the Pakistan cricket team for a short series December 2012-January 2013. The modalities will be worked out shortly.
BCCI sources said, the Pakistani team will play 3 ODIs against India during the Christmas-New Year vacation for Team England cricketers.
In another decision, the BCCI approved the revision of Ranji Trophy format. The 27 teams will be divided into three groups of nine teams each.
The following teams will qualify for the knockout stage: The top three teams from Group A, the top three teams from Group B and the top two teams from Group C
It was also decided that the inter-state tournament for the under-22s will be referred to as the ‘A' teams tournament, and will feature cricketers in the under-25 age-group.
BCCI also decided to grant amnesty to former cricketer Kiran More. The media release said, the India ‘A' team will tour New Zealand in September-October 2012.