Cricket Australia to resume India-Pakistan Rivalry? PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi's latest update stirs rumours

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has yet again given a major update on the resumption of the India-Pakistan rivalry. India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series when Pakistan toured India between December 2012 and January 2013 for a white-ball series. 

Since then India and Pakistan have only faced each other in ICC events. Very recently they faced each other in the T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA. India won a low-scoring thriller in New York. Before that India won the ODI World Cup game in Ahmedabad as well. 

India and Pakistan always grabs eyeballs in cricket. It is the the most popular rivalry in world cricket even better than the Ashes. Meanwhile, the PCB chairman has given a big statement on the possible resumption of the India-Pakistan bilateral series. There has been many efforts made in the past to resume bilateral cricket series between the two nations but nothing has resulted in anything positive. 

Also Read: Jay Shah confirmed India's participation in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan? PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi finally reveals

PCB Chairman Hints At Cricket Australia's Involvement In Resuming India-Pakistan Rivalry

Recent reports say that the PCB Chairman has said that Cricket Australia has expressed interest in helping this rivalry resume. Meanwhile, the government of India has been firm on their decision of not sending the Indian team to Pakistan to play any kind of cricket.

"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. 

🚨 Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi - "Cricket Australia has given good options regarding India-Pakistan bilateral series. We will hear good news regarding Indo-Pak bilateral series as well." #CT25

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) July 4, 2024

Meanwhile, after the Pakistan cricket team's exit from the T20 World Cup, The PCB chief spoke about undergoing a major surgery in the team from which he has in many ways backtracked. 

"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. 

He has also made big comments on Babar Azam's future saying "PCB has taken no decision to change Babar Azam from whiteball captaincy. Ex-cricketers and Gary Kirsten will take decision on captaincy future of Babar."

🚨 Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi - "PCB has taken no decision to change Babar Azam from whiteball captaincy. Ex-cricketers and Gary Kirsten will take decision on captaincy future of Babar." #PCB

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) July 4, 2024

In the same press conference, he has made comments about the possibility of India travelling to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy 2025. However, in a few of his previous comments, he said that Pakistan will only think about playing against India if they travel to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy 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.

As per reports India and Pakistan will be part of the same group and India will play all their matches in Lahore. Incidentally, India lost the 2017 Champions Trophy final against Pakistan under Virat Kohli's captaincy.

Also Read: Revealed: What did Narendra Modi tell Virat Kohli during their meeting after T20 World Cup 2024