Pakistan and India last played a bilateral in 2013 when Pakistan toured India for a white-ball series. Pakistan won the series and then the two sides never faced each other in a bilateral match again.
The sides have faced each other in ICC events four times in the last three years. Pakistan has only won once whereas India has won three times.
In the recently concluded T20 World Cup Pakistan and India faced each other in a group match in New York. And the eventual champions India beat Pakistan in an exciting encounter by 6 runs.
Nevertheless, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley has expressed their interest in hosting the Pakistan and India series in Australia.
“If we can play a role in helping and facilitating the India vs Pakistan bilateral series, we would be more than happy to do so,” Hockley told The Indian Express during a select media interaction.
The T20 match between Pakistan and India in the 2022 T20 World Cup was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) which was won by India after a thrilling game. The Melbourne Cricket Club and the Victorian government have expressed their desire to host series between arch-rivals.
“Given the schedules, we haven’t had formal discussions in that regard, but we have said on the record that we will be happy to host the India vs Pakistan bilateral series,” said Hockley.
Hockely also said in order to keep pace with the T20 cricket, there must be regular ODI series between the nations.
“The ODI World Cup which India hosted last year was fantastic. I think the ten-team format, where every game counts, is excellent,” he said.
“I think the challenge for world cricket is to ensure that all bilateral series must have a contest. Each series must have consequences, like the Test matches, which help you to progress in the World Test Championships (WTC) finals.“We need something similar for the white ball format. Be it the rankings and other factors that relate to the qualifications for the World Cups. “From an Australian perspective, we would continue to value all three formats and would also want that each bilateral series must have consequences in terms of qualifications for the World Cups,” he added.
It is yet to be seen how Pakistan and India board will react to this offer by cricket Australia. If this series doesn’t happen India and Pakistan are supposed to play in the ICC Champions Trophy next year in Pakistan.
“The PCB chairman met heads of cricket boards in Barbados before the T20 World Cup final and discussed Pakistan’s preparations to host next year’s ICC Champions Trophy,” the source said.
“Six of the seven countries have been supportive and encouraging because their teams have been to Pakistan, and they have had firsthand information about what the country has delivered and the lengths it has gone to deliver them.“The boards have also had the feedback from the players who have come here for international cricket and to play in the Pakistan Super League.”
