PCB eyes to lock T20I series with India

KARACHI:

With India doubtful to participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is eagerly looking forward for a T20I series against arch-rivals at a neutral venue.

Due to ongoing political tensions, Pakistan and India have not engaged in a bilateral cricket series since 2012. The Indian government has directed its cricket board to limit encounters with Pakistan to ICC or ACC events.

Currently, there’s a debate about whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy. Initially, the Indian media hinted positively, but recently, discussions have intensified about the team not crossing the border.

Amidst this, the ICC’s annual conference is taking place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where the agenda includes potentially relocating the Champions Trophy matches to another country, albeit with an additional budget.

Last year, the Indian team refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, leading to their matches being held in Sri Lanka. This time, the PCB has firmly stated that the hybrid model is unacceptable and that the entire event must take place in Pakistan.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is in Colombo, expected to meet BCCI Chief Jay Shah to persuade him to send the Indian team to Pakistan. However, the PCB acknowledges that the final decision will be made by the Indian government, not the BCCI.

According to sources, before departing for Sri Lanka, senior PCB officials agreed to invite India for a T20 series at a neutral venue next year.

Mohsin Naqvi will discuss this with Jay Shah, and matches could be scheduled during the free days of both teams after the Champions Trophy. It is worth mentioning that Australia and England have invited Pakistan and India to play series in their countries, but Pakistan has not made a decision regarding the host yet. The plan will only proceed if Jay Shah gives a positive response.

Naqvi will also meet senior officials from other cricket boards to discuss arrangements and security for the Champions Trophy. Except for India, no other country has expressed reservations about touring Pakistan, and the PCB remains optimistic that all teams will participate. Rumors about Afghanistan’s hesitations have been are false.

Additionally, the PCB has purchased an adjacent plot to the National Cricket Academy to construct a five-star hotel. Discussions with major hotel chains are ongoing, with one proposal suggesting the PCB build the hotel itself.

This project, set for completion in the coming years, aims to eliminate the need for teams to stay in distant hotels, thereby ending road closures for security. Only the area adjacent to Gaddafi Stadium will be closed during matches.

Australia has expressed its interest in ‘facilitating’ bilateral series between cricket rivals Pakistan and India.

The Cricket Australia chief executive told The Indian Express that Australia is ready to play a role in arranging a marquee for the neighbors.

He said, “If we can play a role in helping and facilitating the India vs. Pakistan bilateral series, we would be more than happy to do so.”

The Pakistan vs. India match is always a big event. Cricket fans from all over the world wait for the clash between the rivals. But the two countries have not played any bilateral series since 2012–13. Two teams only met at global events of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Hockley said, “Given the schedules, we haven’t had formal discussions in that regard, but we have said it on the record that we will be happy to host the India vs. Pakistan bilateral series.”

Pakistan and India recently met in a T20 World Cup group-stage match in New York. India won that clash by six runs, whereas Pakistan did not even qualify for the Super Eight stage.