If the World Cup semi-final was any indication, cricket fans on both sides of the border are eager to see arch-rivals India and Pakistan play each other again. But while there are reports of a possible resumption of bilateral cricket ties, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is playing it straight, saying there is no window to squeeze in the proposed three-ODI series.

The BCCI officials expressed ignorance of such a proposal. “We have not received any instruction from the government,” vice-president Rajiv Shukla told DNA. “I don’t know. You people seem to know more than I do,” said BCCI secretary N Srinivasan.

Top board officials had a long teleconference on Thursday, but refused to comment. The BCCI is believed to have convened a meeting of the working committee on April 27 where a formal decision may be taken. But officials say the Indian team’s schedule is too tight to make time for the tour.

The IPL will be followed by a tour of the West Indies and then England. In September, there is the Champions League T20, followed by return tours by England and the West Indies between October and December. In January-February, India will undertake a tour of Australia.

As first reported by this paper, the BCCI might agree to the scheduled bilateral series next March-April. The board couldalso find a 10-day window in September, but security is an issue.

A BCCI official said it is not easy to conduct a series against Pakistan. “A lot of emotions are involved. We also have to see the player work load. But if the government thinks cricket is important to India-Pakistan relations, why so many government departments from the IB to ED and from Customs to Central Excise after us,” the official asked.