Watch: Waqar Younis Approve The Idea Of India Vs Pakistan Test Match At MCG With Sheer Delight

Former Pakistani Right-arm fast bowler Waqar Younis was not able to hide his emotions of delight when he was asked about the idea of India facing Pakistan in a neutral Test match hosted at Australia’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Younis approved the idea of the arch-rivals facing each other in a red ball contest and thought that MCG would be a perfect setting for the match.

Waqar Younis who has played 87 Tests for Pakistan, claimed 373 wickets and in 262 ODIs, Younis took 416 wickets, finishing his International career with 789 wickets to his name.

As we all know, due to political tensions between the two neighboring countries, India and Pakistan only play against each other during ICC or ACC events, namely during the World Cup and Asia Cup competitions. It has been more than a decade since the 2 nations played a bilateral series and as to when it might happen next is unknown.

But whenever it is an India-Pakistan match, expect viewership to go over the roof. It will be fair to say that both ICC and ACC have made this fixture mandatory in all of their tournaments because it most importantly generates a large amount of revenue.

Pakistan vs India in a Test at the MCG? ?‍?

? Around the Wicket pic.twitter.com/fMRXm46Iz0

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 24, 2023

But this rivalry is a lot more than that. In Sporting terms, it could also be known as the Mother of All rivalries but the real essence of it has somehow faded due to the reduced number of matches between the two. Moreover, Test matches between them have stopped as BCCI neither allows Pakistan to come to India for a series nor does it allow the Indian team to visit Pakistan.

The last time they met in a Test match was way back in 2007/08 when Pakistan came to India for a 3-match test series. India had won the first test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium by 6 wickets and the following 2 Tests at Kolkata and Bengaluru were drawn with India coming out on top by 1-0.

In the current scenario, the only way possible for both of them to feature in a Test match is during the ICC World Test Championship final which has until now taken place in neutral venues. The first WTC won by New Zealand took place at Southampton while the most recent one in June 2023 took place at the Oval.

Waqar Younis Says A Packed MCG Crowd For India Vs Pakistan Test Match Would Be A Perfect Setting

While discussing the upcoming 2nd Test between Australia and Pakistan with ESPN, Waqar Younis was asked about a possible Ind-Pak Test match or series taking place at the MCG, the former Pakistan pacer gave a very lively response, stating it would be amazing to see 100,000 people watching an India Vs Pakistan Test match.

“Why Not, that’ll be awesome. I remember back in the day we played against Australia in England and it was really happening because England’s got a lot of Pakistani following and it was a packed house. So just imagine India and Pakistan playing here at the MCG in front of over 100,000 people would be exciting.” – said Waqar Younis.

Waqar Younis during his playing days, picked up 10 wickets against India in 6 Test matches, and in the 50-0ver format, he took 43 wickets in 32 appearances for the Men in Green.