MUMBAI: The eagerly anticipated talks between officials of India and Pakistan’s cricket boards’ - Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) respectively on bilateral series scheduled for December in UAE were cancelled on 19 October.

PCB chief Shaharyar Khan was scheduled to meet the newly elected BCCI president Shashank Manohar to discuss the resumption of cricketing ties between the two countries but plans were disrupted after Shiv Sena activists demonstrated at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai demanding cancellation of talks.

The meeting was re-scheduled for 20 October.

According to a PTI report, Khan and PCB’s executive committee head Najam Sethi arrived in India on 18 October to hold a meeting with Manohar for finalising the bilateral series.  

According to reports, around more than 50 Shiv Sena activists stormed into the BBCI headquarters at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai chanting slogans against Pakistan.

Expressing his views on Twitter, Indian Premium League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla tweeted, “Strongly condemns the attack on BCCI Office by Shiv Sena.”

He further said, “BCCI is a responsible body and will not do anything against national interest. Cricketing decisions should be left to BCCI.”

It may be recalled that recently Shiv Sena activists also forced organisers to cancel the concert of renowned Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali in Mumbai.

In the light of the demonstration today, it now remains to be seen whether any progress is made between BCCI and PCB with regards to the bilateral series.