The PCB chief Ejaz Butt is confident that India and Pakistan will play a bilateral series as early as next year.

The BCCI might have ruled out immediate resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan but Butt is confident that the two countries would be facing each other soon at a neutral venue.

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Butt, who returned from his visit to India on Wednesday, told the media at Lahore airport that a bilateral series with India could be held next year.

"I think, in the existing circumstances the only way to resume bilateral cricket ties is by playing at a neutral venue acceptable to both teams," Butt stated.

The Indian Cricket Board officials have made it clear that they don't see resumption of bilateral ties any time soon due to the hectic schedule of the Indian team. BCCI has also insisted that bilateral cricketing ties are possible only when diplomatic relations between the two countries improve.

However, Butt said despite these issues, cricket between the two arch-rivals could resume soon.

"I had talks with the BCCI and Indian authorities which were good and meaningful and they will yield productive outcome in due course of time," he said.

"It is good to see that both the cricket boards are having meetings to explore possibilities for resuming cricket," he said.

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