India vs Pakistan TEST Series to Resume? ECB offers to host series as Neutral Host: In an important development to India-Pakistan cricketing relations, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has proposed to host the India vs Pakistan test series as a neutral host. The update came as England’s tour of Pakistan for seven T20Is is underway.
Deputy chairman of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Martin Darlow held a meeting with their Pakistan counterpart and proposed to offer English cricket stadiums for the series. Darlow reckons that the India-Pakistan test cricket revival will attract numerous eyeballs in the UK and the test series will eventually help in the growth of the traditional format of the game.
The India vs Pakistan fixtures are always exciting to watch. Recent India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2022 grabbed millions of eyes. Moreover, the tickets for upcoming India vs Pakistan fixture in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia were sold within minutes.
India and Pakistan haven’t faced each other in white since 2007-08 due to political tensions between the two countries. The two sides don’t play bilateral matches and only lock horns in multi-nation tournaments such as Asia Cup or ICC-sponsored events.
Moreover, the Pakistani cricketers are also banned from the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) owing to similar grounds.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opposed the idea proposed by the ECB and expressed its gratitude for the offer. PCB’s rejection of the proposal could have been impacted by BCCI’s policy to not allow Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) or any other league where the franchises are owned and operated by the Indian stakeholders.
Moreover, PCB, at present, wants to persuade other international sides to visit their country and play bilaterals. Notably, after getting deserted for a decade, PCB has finally begun to resurrect with their home bilateral matches, which were earlier played in neutral venues.
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