Pak captain for World Cup to be named on Feb 4: Butt

Karachi, Jan 31 (PTI) Pakistan''s captain for next month''sWorld Cup in the sub-continent would be named on February 4, aday before the final match of their ongoing one-day series inNew Zealand.

Talking to the Pakistani media in Napier today, Butt,however, refused to say which among all-rounder Shahid Afridiand Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq would be given the reins of theteam for the mega-event starting February 19.

"We will announce the captain on February 4 that isdecided now," he added.

Butt also disclosed that India were willing to play ashort series against Pakistan in England sometime this year.

"We have made good progress in talks with the Indianboard to resume bilateral cricket ties and they have indicatedthey are willing to resume ties," he said.

But the PCB chief made it clear that any final decisionon resumption of bilateral cricket ties with India would restcompletely with decisions taken at the government level.

"Hopefully, decisions would be made at the governmentlevel on the series but the Indian board has shown itswillingness to play which is good news for us," Butt said.

The PCB chief admitted that it was important forinternational cricket and for Pakistan to have bilateral tieswith India.

"The financial aspect of playing India regularly inbilateral series is very important for us," he explained.

India has not played Pakistan in a bilateral series sincelate 2007 and had cancelled its tour to Pakistan in early 2009in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks in November, 2008.