The Women's Cricket Association of India has hailed the "positive response" by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and hoped the WCAI-BCCI merger to take place this year.
"It is a positive step that they have taken. Last time we were told by the BCCI that the merger is not possible," WCAI Secretary Subhangi Kulkarni said.
"All the women's federation in other countries have merged with their respective Men's Cricket federations. We are really hopeful that the merger will take place sooner than latter as the BCCI has decided to discuss the matter with the other cricket playing nations in the world," she added.
BCCI President Ranbir Singh Mahendra told reporters after the two-day Working Committee meeting in Thiruvanthapuram that Board secretary S K Nair had been asked to study the merger of associations in New Zealand and Australia before it could take a decision on the matter in August.
After the recent merger of men and women's federations in South Africa, the International Women's Cricket Association have also completed their merger with the International Cricket Council on April 2, during the women's World Cup in South Africa.
Indian women team's coach Sudha Shah said that with the ICC affiliation to WCAI was effective till April next year, BCCI should take a decision this year.
"The ICC has extended affiliation to us on a condition that we should merge with the BCCI before April 2006. WCAI is the only women's body affiliated directly to ICC like the BCCI whereas all the other women's cricket federations have only joint representation in the ICC," Shah said.
The coach, who guided the Indian women's team to its first ever World Cup final, expected that the merger would take place before next year.
"We are confident that WCAI-BCCI merger will take place at least before next year, as otherwise India women will not be able to compete in international matches recognised by the ICC."
However, it is not known whether the WCAI will be invited to ICC's annual meeting slated for later this month in Dubai where other cricket playing nations, affiliated to ICC, will be represented by the joint body.
