Cricket Australia (CA) has reiterated its strong desire to host a much-anticipated India vs Pakistan bilateral series, despite acknowledging the complexities involved.
India vs Pakistan Down Under?
Both India and Pakistan are scheduled to tour Australia later this year. While they won’t be facing each other directly, CA sees a potential opportunity and is keen to play a facilitating role.
Memorable MCG match fuels CA’s Ambition
CA CEO Nick Hockley pointed to the phenomenal crowd turnout and electric atmosphere during the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2022. He believes a bilateral series would be a major crowd-pleaser:
“Anyone that was here for the India-Pakistan game at the MCG, it will go down as one of the most memorable occasions… People want to see that contest. We would love to host that if the opportunity arose.”
India vs Pakistan: Bilateral Series or Tri-Series?
While a India vs Pakistan bilateral series remains the primary goal, CA has also shown interest in exploring the possibility of a tri-series involving both India and Pakistan. However, Peter Roach, CA’s head of scheduling, acknowledges there’s no space for such a series in the current Future Tours Programme (FTP).
Despite the scheduling constraints, CA is determined to find ways to host this marquee matchup. They are actively engaged in discussions and remain open to any future possibilities that might arise.
The Ball lies with BCCI and PCB
Ultimately, the decision to play a bilateral series rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). While CA is eager to be a part of this historic event, they acknowledge it’s up to the respective cricket boards to make it happen.
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