NEW DELHI: In some good news for cricket enthusiasts of both India and Pakistan, sources told TIMES NOW on Wednesday (June 30) that bilateral cricket ties between the two countries could well resume soon. The resumption of bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan reportedly came up for discussion between the leaders of the two countries on the sidelines of the recent foreign secretary level meeting. The issue is also likely to be discussed during the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) annual meeting in Singapore. Well-placed sources in the Pakistan government said that the Indian government has given a nod to the Board of Cricket Control India (BCCI) to renew cricketing ties, which were called off in the wake of November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. "It is now up to the respective boards to negotiate on the formalities of the Test series. Most probably the series between the two countries would be played any time in the coming season," the source said. Speaking to TIMES NOW, former Pakistani cricketer Zaheer Abbas welcomed the move and said, "This is good news for all of us. We would love to play against the Indians. People in Pakistan are happy with the same. However, I feel games should be played in Pakistan and India and not rely on neutral venues, keeping in mind the interest of the fans. Currently India is doing well and it will help both the team to improve, if they face each other." Even though there has never been an official ban on bilateral cricket ties between the two Asian giants, the political situation and security concerns had prevented cricketing ties from being normal.

SINGAPORE: Former Australia prime minister John Howard has failed in his bid to become the next vice-president of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The 70-year-old Howard had been nominated for the position by Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC), who have been asked to put forward another candidate by the ICC.

The decision was made on Wednesday at the week-long ICC executive board meeting in Singapore.

"Following lengthy consideration it was recognised that the nomination put forward by Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket did not have sufficient support within the ICC Board. No vote was taken," the sport's governing body said in a statement.

"Under the ICC's regional rotation process... Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket were invited to re-nominate a candidate by August 31, 2010."

Under ICC rules, the vice-president would serve for two years then become president in 2012.

CA and NZC issued a joint statement after the announcement expressing their disappointment at the decision.

"We jointly nominated Mr Howard as a candidate as he possesses significant leadership and administrative skills," CA chairman Jack Clarke and NZC chairman Alan Isaac said in the statement.

"We believe cricket needs to continue to seek excellence and dispassionate independence in the game's global governance.

"We remain convinced it is reasonable for his nomination to be supported by the ICC Executive Board and we are deeply disappointed by the position taken at today's meeting."

The nomination of Howard, who lost the 2007 Australian federal election and retired from politics, had been contentious with earlier newspaper reports indicating that six of the 10 major cricket nations at the Singapore meeting had signed a letter opposing him as a candidate.

Only Australia, New Zealand and England had supported him, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian reported on their websites.

In the weeks leading up to the Singapore gathering, the Australian media suggested Howard would struggle to seal the nomination.

One of the reasons given was his criticism of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's regime when he was Australian Prime Minister, with both South Africa and Zimbabwe expected not to give him support.

Sri Lanka cricket authorities had also expressed reservations about his nomination because he did not have the necessary cricketing administrative background.

He also won few friends in Sri Lanka after he questioned the bowling action of test wicket record holder Muttiah Muralitharan.

Howard was also the subject of a public battle between CA and NZC for the nomination, with New Zealand wanting to nominate their former chairman John Anderson for the position before they agreed to Howard.