"It was not a formal but social gathering but I found out a little time to discuss cricket. I was told by Natwar that the Indian government has no reservations about India playing a Test in Karachi," Shaharyar Khan told PTI from Islamabad.

"I think it is a big development and although the official confirmation has to come from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), I am now quite certain that India would play in Karachi," the PCB supremo said.

Shaharayar Khan has now played a decisive role on more than one occasion in convincing Indian decision-makers to play in Karachi.

In 2004, Shaharyar convinced the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to allow his team to play the series opening one-dayer in the port city of Karachi that proved to be a high scoring fixture.

"Actually Natwar said the decision has to be taken by the BCCI regarding playing in Karachi. The Indian government's approval to BCCI was delayed due to the sad demise of India's Sports Minister," Shaharyar said.

The Indian cricket team is expected to arrive in Lahore on January 2 and play a two-day warm-up match in Lahore on Jan 3-4 before the first Test starts in Karachi tentatively on January 7.