NEW DELHI: The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) reportedly refused any potential Pakistan-India bilateral series, an Indian news outlet reported on Wednesday.
The possibility of the much-anticipated Pakistan-India series skied high after the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Najam Sethi, in an interview with Sydney Morning Herald, hinted the bilateral series could be held at a neutral venue.
“Yes, I think bilateral Test matches can be played in Australia, England, South Africa,” Sethi said. “But I think the best bet would be England, and following that Australia. If you can get a house full in any of the Australian stadiums, fine, that would be great.” he added.
Meanwhile, Najam Sethi’s green signal to the potential Pakistan-India bilateral series did not go well with the BCCI as the Indian cricket governing body said to have no plans for any series against Pakistan.
“No plans for such kind of series to happen in the future or upcoming days. We aren’t ready for any kind of bilateral series with Pakistan,” an Indian media outlet quoted BCCI source.
No plans for such kind of series to happen in the future or upcoming days. We aren't ready for any kind of bilateral series with Pakistan: BCCI source to ANI
Today Pakistan media reported that PCB chairman Najam Sethi gave a green signal to a potential Pakistan-India Test series…
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2023
It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan and India last locked horns in a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for a three-match ODI and two-match T20I series, with the visiting side winning the ODI series 2-1 while the T20I series ended in a draw.
The two sides, however, last met in a Test series in 2007-08 in India, with the home team winning the series 1-0.
The arch-rivals have since only met at Asia Cups and ICC events as the BCCI refused to play a bilateral series against Pakistan on political grounds.
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