England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) CEO Richard Gould opened up on the India vs Pakistan bilateral series saying that hosting a Test match between arch-rivals is not impossible. India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series against each other since Pakistan toured India in 2012-13.
The last Pakistan travelled to India was in the 2023 ODI World Cup 2023 where the Men in Green failed to perform in the marquee event. Before that, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2024 which was supposed to be hosted by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Later, the tournament was played in a hybrid model where Sri Lanka participated as a co-host.
ECB CEO desires to host India vs Pakistan bilateral series at a neutral venue
ECB CEO backed PCB to host the Champions Trophy 2025 and reckoned that it is not impossible and politics between BCCI and PCB are fascinating for him.
"Everybody would love that. I wouldn’t say it’s [hosting and India v Pakistan Test] impossible. The politics between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board are long known, as are the politics between governments. And I find that fascinating," Gould said during the tea break on the first day of England vs West Indies 3rd Test match.
"We were in Sri Lanka over the weekend for ICC meetings, and you see Pakistan cricket supporters and India cricket supporters getting on so well, but as soon as the political element is put in, it creates issues," he added.
Team India are yet to decide on whether they will have to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2024. On the other hand, Pakistan have already drafted the schedule. According to the draft schedule, Lahore will host all of India's matches, including the semi-final and final, with the India vs Pakistan match slated for March 1.
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