The Pakistan Cricket Board has "turned down India's offer" to travel across the border and play a series against the neighbors in December, according to Devendra Pandey of the INDIAN EXPRESS. Board of Control for Cricket in India President Shashank Manohar had spoken to PCB Chair Shaharyar Khan and "invited Pakistan to play in India for a short series." However, Shaharyar on Monday "ruled out" Pakistan going to India, and said that the PCB instead wanted a "home series" which would happen in the UAE. When contacted, BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said that the Indian board "can't force Pakistan to play in India." Thakur: "It's their (Pakistan) wish. Our president Shashank Manohar had spoken to PCB a few days back and we had given them the option to play in India. If now they are not keen then we can’t force them to play here. We can’t force anybody." Sources in the board said that the BCCI had "done its best in the present circumstances" to fulfill its commitment to play against Pakistan (INDIAN EXPRESS, 11/17).
CRICKET BOYCOTT: In New Delhi, Imtiaz Ahmad reported a top Pakistani minister has advocated a cricket boycott against India, saying the country will not pursue talks with New Delhi "until it behaves responsibly." Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, a close aide of PM Nawaz Sharif, said that Pakistan will push the UN to declare the Shiv Sena a "terrorist organization" because of its alleged activities against India's religious minorities. Khan: "We will not play cricket in India. I will personally oppose it. I will take up this issue in the upcoming meeting of the federal cabinet. And the Prime Minister will take the final decision" (HINDUSTAN TIMES, 11/17).
