The delay in announcing the itinerary for the upcoming series between India and Pakistan has been attributed to the failure of cricket authorities on both sides in reaching an agreement.
Pakistan is yet to announce the schedule for the series, which is to be held in March-April this year.
"Since both the cricket Boards have not been able to reach an understanding, the tour itinerary has not been announced as yet, nor has the Pakistan Cricket Board started making preparations for the important series," a source in the PCB said on Sunday.
The PCB had sent a reminder to the Board of Control for Cricket in India asking it to confirm the itinerary, but it is learnt that the Indian Board is insisting on first playing the five One-Day Internationals and then the three Tests during the 35-day tour.
"However, the PCB is adamant that first the Tests should be held and then the one-day series. Their argument is that by having the Tests first they will attract crowds to the stadiums," the source was quoted as saying by The News.
"But if they have the traditionally crowd-pulling ODIs first it will take the gloss of the Test series."
The source said the BCCI feels that since the teams of both countries will be entering the series fresh from one-day tournaments in Australia and New Zealand, it makes more sense to first have the ODIs and then the Tests.
Till yesterday [Sunday] the BCCI had not given its approval to the itinerary proposed by Pakistan although it confirmed in writing that the team will be making the historical trip.
"It is not an easy situation for the PCB because lot of arrangements have to be made for the series," the source said.
He pointed out that the PCB had already acceded to the Indian request of trimming the seven match one-day series to five games although it would result in loss of earnings in millions because of the big market for limited-overs cricket on television and among advertisers and sponsors.
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