(Source X)
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has provided another significant update regarding the potential revival of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry. The last bilateral series between the two nations took place when Pakistan toured India for a white-ball series between December 2012 and January 2013.
Since then, encounters between India and Pakistan have been restricted to ICC events. Recently, they met in the T20 World Cup in matches held in West Indies and the USA, where India emerged victorious in a closely contested match in New York. Prior to that, India had won an ODI World Cup encounter in Ahmedabad.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan consistently garners global attention in cricket, often surpassing even the famed Ashes rivalry in popularity. Despite numerous efforts in the past to resume bilateral cricket series between the two nations, no positive outcomes have materialized thus far, as emphasized by the PCB chairman’s recent statement.
According to recent reports, the PCB Chairman has indicated that Cricket Australia has shown interest in facilitating the revival of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry. Meanwhile, the Indian government remains steadfast in its stance against sending the Indian team to Pakistan for any cricket matches.
“Cricket Australia has given good options regarding India-Pakistan bilateral series. We will hear good news regarding Indo-Pak bilateral series as well” stated the PCB Chairman.
Meanwhile, following Pakistan’s exit from the T20 World Cup, the PCB chief discussed making significant changes to the team, but has since reconsidered many of those plans.
“The surgery of Pakistan Cricket Team will NOT be conducted in an anger because decisions taken in emotions can have more consequences,” the PCB Chairman said as per GEO News reporter Arfa Feroz Zake.
During the same press conference, he discussed the potential for India to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Previously, he had stated that Pakistan would only consider playing against India if they agreed to visit Pakistan for the tournament next year.
“Look, if any options in this regard come we will consider it, but our target right now is to host the Champions Trophy and first let India come for the tournament. Right now till the CT, there is no slot available as our team has a packed itinerary. Once they come here first then we can look at any proposal whenever it comes before us,” he said.
According to reports, India and Pakistan are slated to be grouped together, with India scheduled to play all their matches in Lahore. Interestingly, India suffered defeat in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against Pakistan during Virat Kohli’s tenure as captain.
