Cricket Australia (CA) has expressed its desire to host a bilateral series between India and Pakistan if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agree to host it for the first time in the future to clash in a bilateral match in 12 years. The India and Pakistan Cricket Team will visit Australia for their respective series in November. Where on one hand, India will travel to play a five-match Test series starting on November 22 in Perth, and on the other hand, the Pakistani side will play a three-match ODI and T20I series against the Men in Yellow.
India and Australia last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 and since then both teams have gone head to head either in the Asia Cup or in the ICC events.
After the mega success of the 2022 T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where 90,293 fans witnessed a last-ball thriller with Virat Kohli playing an iconic knock of 82*, CA, the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCG operators) and the Victorian Government have now expressed interest in two teams at the MCG, which could be a great move for them financially.
Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Nick Hockley opined that they would love to host the bilateral series between India and Pakistan at the iconic MCG if given the opportunity.
“I think everyone who was here for the India-Pakistan match at the MCG will go down as one of the most memorable occasions, not just sporting events, that I have ever been to. So people want to see that match. We would like to organize that if the opportunity arises. If we can play a role, we would like to play a role,” Hockley said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“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 it’s a bilateral series. It’s really up to others to do that possible,” the spokesperson said. CA CEO added.
CA’s head of planning, Peter Roach, admitted on Tuesday that Australia would also be interested in hosting a tri-series, which last took place between India and Pakistan during the 1999-2000 season, rather than just a neutral bilateral series , but he noted that there was not enough space in the current Future Tours Program (FTP).
“We do not have a tri-series in the FTP. Going forward, we are always interested in opportunities for matches and fixtures that will excite our fans. It is fair to say that every country in the world would love to see India and Pakistan see them fighting in their country,” Roach claimed.
“It is certain that we say that we are one of those countries that asked this question. There is currently no room in the schedules to do that. We will continue to engage with them on any other opportunities that arise, but in this specific example there will be no changes to the schedule,” he concluded.
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