Pakistan demand Afghanistan apology

The feud between the Afghanistan and Pakistan Cricket Boards has continued to rumble on, with the PCB demanding a public apology from their neighbours in order to renew cricketing ties.

The two nations had earlier this year come to terms to play two T20 friendlies in July-August, however a bomb blast in Kabul on May 31, in which 80 people lost their lives, led to the ACB cancelling those matches.

"No agreement of friendly matches and mutual relationship agreement is valid with a country where terrorists are housed and provided safe haven," said one ACB official in the wake of the bombing, and it is that response for which the PCB is demanding an apology.

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"One day, (ACB) chairman (Atif Mashal) met me and was very positive about having good relations," said PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan.

"But next day he gave an extremely political statement about Pakistan, so then we told them that we don't have anything to do with you.

"He later did express his regret on making the statement and had also apologised privately.

"But we, the Board, have taken a position that until they apologise in public, we should not be reviving any cricketing ties with them."

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The full original discussions between the nations outlined two matches played in one another's countries (in the cities of Kabul and Lahore), and also incorporated support from the PCB to the ACB via venues for training camps, as well as the potential for ongoing tours between both junior and senior teams.

Mashal's response to the request for an apology came on Sunday following a Board meeting.

"Our relations with other cricket boards, including PCB, are based on mutual respect and national interests and we do not see the need for an apology," he said.

Afghanistan was last month awarded Test status along with Ireland, bringing the number of Test-playing nations up to 12.