India and Pakistan to resume cricket ties

The countries have agreed to play three one-day internationals in India in December and January, according to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

NEW DELHI // India and Pakistan will play a cricket series for the first time since sporting ties were severed following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, building on a peace process that has already overhauled trade relations.

The countries have agreed to play three one-day internationals in India in December and January, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

India's decision to invite Pakistan for their first bilateral contest since 2007 comes after the two countries finalised the biggest dismantling of restrictions on business and investment.

The US has urged India and Pakistan to improve ties, concerned that they may engage in a proxy war in Afghanistan as American troops exit an 11-year war with the Taliban.

Cricket has become intertwined with politics. In an act of so-called cricket diplomacy, the prime ministers of India and Pakistan watched their nations contest last year's semi-final of the sport's world cup.

New Delhi broke off talks with Islamabad after Pakistani militants killed 166 people in the attack on Mumbai. India says the strike was carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba group with the support of some members of Pakistan's security establishment. The government in New Delhi has criticised Pakistan for failing to prosecute those it holds responsible.

After peace talks between India and Pakistan this month, the Indian foreign secretary, Ranjan Mathai, said both countries wanted to improve sporting ties. The respective cricket boards would decide whether to resume matches, which would raise security concerns, he said.