India and Pakistan to resume cricket ties on Christmas Day

MUMBAI, (Reuters) – India and Pakistan will resume bilateral cricket ties with a Twenty20 international in Bangalore on Christmas Day, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said yesterday.

The two teams will play a second T20 match in Ahmedabad before taking part in three one-day internationals in Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi, the BCCI said in a statement.

Bilateral cricket between the nuclear-armed neighbours were suspended after the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed. India blame Pakistan-based militants for the incident.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars in the past 65 years and already fragile relations were further strained since the carnage when gunmen attacked two upmarket hotels, a busy railway terminal and a fashionable cafe in Mumbai.

The last series between the two sides was Pakistan’s tour of India in 2007 although Pakistan travelled to India to play the 50 overs World Cup semi-final in Mohali last year.

Tour itinerary:

Dec. 25 – 1st T20 International in Bangalore

Dec. 27 – 2nd T20 International in Ahmedabad

Dec. 30 – 1st One Day International in Chennai

Jan. 3 – 2nd One Day International in Kolkata

Jan. 6 – 3rd One Day International in Delhi