There have been speculations going on regarding staging cricket between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Since the two countries no longer play cricket together apart from ICC or ACC events following their political relations, Cricket Australia (CA) later proposed hosting a tri-nation series including itself and its rivals.
However, despite Pakistan’s interest, the Board of Control of Cricket (BCCI) denied it. The PCB was willing to make it a quadrilateral series, also including England, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) showed no interest either.
According to recent reports, it has been heard that CA is once again planning a one-off Test between India and Pakistan. As revealed by a local source, it has been reported by Australian cricketer Simon O’Donnell. If not a Test, then there are possibilities of hosting a tri-series as planned earlier.
The source mentioned,
Former cricketer of Australia Simon O’Donnell has claimed there are talks within Cricket Australia to schedule a test match between Pakistan and India in Australia, or the second option includes a tri-nation series including Australia, Pakistan and India.
While the same source later revealed,
Pakistan Cricket Board has no plans to schedule a one-off test match against India in Australia. PCB already has a jampacked and busy Future Tour Program.
Another Pakistani source disclosed that apart from a one-off Test match, there has been ongoing planning regarding a tri-nation series between Australia, India, and Pakistan.
According to reports, discussions are underway about the possibility of a triangular One-Day series between India, Pakistan and Australia or a Test match between India and Pakistan in Australia.
Whereas, according to the BCCI, they are not willing to play Pakistan apart from ACC and ICC matches. Moreover, neither they have any intention to travel to Pakistan, nor will their government allow it.
“There’s no question of playing Pakistan in any tournament apart from ICC & Asian events. We aren’t travelling to Pakistan & not playing anywhere else. Despite the interest, we are bound by government rules & if it doesn’t allow us to play Pakistan, we can’t.”
