India vs Pakistan Test series on the cards? Cricket Australia's latest development shocks the cricket world

Cricket Australia (CA) has openly expressed its desire to host a bilateral series between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the future. Cricket Australia is ready to facilitate the rivalry between the two teams, provided the BCCI and PCB reach a mutual agreement.

The long-awaited bilateral cricket series between the two teams remains elusive due to strained political ties between the two nations. Fans have been deprived of this rivalry since the last encounter in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for a limited-overs series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has consistently urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to restore cricketing ties. However, the BCCI has maintained that any decision regarding a bilateral series with Pakistan rests with the government.

We’re So Excited To Host India – Nick Hockley

Cricket Australia’s CEO, Nick Hockley, expressed eagerness to host matches between India and Pakistan if given the opportunity. However, Hockley noted that ultimately, the decision depends on the willingness of both countries to participate.

“I think anyone that was here for the India-Pakistan game at the MCG, it will go down as one of the most memorable occasions, not just sporting occasions, that I’ve ever been to. So people want to see that contest. We would love to host that if the opportunity arose. If we can play a role, we’d love to play a role,” Hockley said.

“We’re so excited to host Pakistan. We’re so excited to host India. If we can help, that’s great. But I think in many ways, that’s a bilateral series. It’s really for others to make that happen,” he added.

The India-Pakistan match at the MCG was witnessed by 90,293 spectators. Following the success of the 2022 T20 World Cup match between the two nations, CA, the Melbourne Cricket Club, and the Victorian government expressed keen interest in hosting bilateral matches between India and Pakistan at the iconic MCG.

India and Pakistan’s men’s teams will be in Australia at the same time in November this year, as Cricket Australia has announced the schedule for their upcoming home summer. Australia will host three ODIs and T20Is against Pakistan, followed by the highly anticipated five-match Test series against India.

Haven’t Got A Tri-Series In The FTP – Peter Roach

CA’s Head of Scheduling, Peter Roach, emphasized the organization’s willingness to explore new avenues for cricketing engagements, despite the absence of a tri-series involving India and Pakistan in the current Future Tours Programme (FTP).

Roach expressed interest in matches that would captivate fans while also acknowledging scheduling constraints. Roach affirmed CA’s ongoing dialogue with the concerned parties, though immediate changes to the schedule seem unlikely.

“We haven’t got a tri-series in the FTP. Going forward we’re always interested in opportunities for matches and contests that will engage our fans. It’s fair to say every country in the world would love to see India and Pakistan compete in their country,” Roach said.

“We’re on record as saying we’re one of those countries that has asked the question. There’s no room in the schedules to do that at the moment. We’ll keep talking to them in any other opportunities that arise, but in this specific example there are not going to be any changes to the schedule,” he concluded.

The Test series scheduled between Australia and the Men in Blue consists of five matches, including one day-night fixture. The series will commence in Perth, with Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney hosting the subsequent matches.

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