BCCI, PCB Must Get On One Platform For Resumption Of Bilateral Ties Javed Miandad

Former Pakistan Test captain Javed Miandad has said that cricket boards of India and Pakistan should work together for the resumption of bilateral series between the two countries.

The arch-rivals have not played a full bilateral Test series since 2007. Pakistan had visited India for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. They played a short series of three ODIs and two T20s in India in December 2012. But otherwise, both have faced each other only in the ICC organised events or the Asia Cup. They last played against each other in last year’s Champions Trophy.

Last year, the PCB had also decided to sue its Indian counterpart on the ground that the latter did not honour the MoU signed in 2014. The boards had signed the MoU for six bilateral series to be played between 2015 and 2023 with Pakistan hosting four of them.

However, the BCCI could not go organise any series because of Indian government’s decision to now play Pakistan.

The BCCI has also not kept Pakistan in its Future Tour Programmed for 2019-2023 cycles. The Indian board has snubbed the neighbouring country amongst its six proposed opponents for the World Test Championship beginning in 2019.

And amidst all this, Miandad has urged both the boards to sort out the issues and resume bilateral series.

“It is high time the two boards get on one platform. And try to convince the governments to give clearance for resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan,” Miandad said.

“What is the purpose of this World Test Championship or any other ICC backed league if India and Pakistan don’t play against each other,” he added.

Miandad said he has lost all hope in the ICC in playing any role to get India and Pakistan to resume bilateral cricket.

“India and Pakistan series is much bigger than the Ashes and if we work out our issues the two countries can rule the cricket world,” he said.

“No matter the level of political relations in the past we have played cricket in very tense conditions and it has eventually helped the governments,” Miandad added.

He also said that if India and Pakistan can play in ICC events like the World Cup or Champions Trophy or in the Asia Cup, then why not in bilateral matches.

“One could reconcile to the situation if there were no matches between the two countries at all but if we can play in ICC events then why not otherwise,” he asked.