The long-standing cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan has been limited to ICC tournaments since their last bilateral series in 2012–13. However, Cricket Australia (CA) is keen on changing that by hosting a bilateral series between the two cricketing giants in Australia.
Cricket Australia’s Proposal
Nick Hockley, Chief Executive of Cricket Australia, has expressed a strong interest in facilitating an India vs Pakistan bilateral series down under. During a media interaction with The Indian Express, Hockley stated, “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.”
Historical Context and Recent Matches
The most recent encounter between India and Pakistan occurred during the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage in New York, where India emerged victorious by six runs. India, led by Rohit Sharma, went on to win the trophy, while Pakistan, under Babar Azam, were knocked out in the group stage.
This followed another thrilling match at the 2022 T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where a crowd of 90,293 witnessed a last-ball victory by India. This exciting encounter has fueled interest from both the Melbourne Cricket Club and the Victorian government in hosting future bilateral matches at the MCG.
Scheduling and Future Plans
While formal discussions have not yet taken place due to scheduling constraints, Hockley has reiterated CA’s willingness to host the series. “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,” Hockley said.
The Future of ODI Cricket
Hockley also touched on the future of One Day International (ODI) cricket. Despite Australia being the defending champions, he emphasized the need for bilateral ODI series to have meaningful contests to maintain their relevance. “The ODI World Cup which India hosted last year was fantastic. I think the ten-team format, where every game counts is excellent,” he noted.
Hockley suggested that bilateral ODI series should have consequences similar to the World Test Championships to ensure each match carries weight. “Each series must have consequences, like the Test matches, which help you to progress in the World Test Championships (WTC) finals. We need something similar for the white ball format, be it the rankings or other factors that relate to qualifications for the World Cups,” he added.
Looking Ahead
From Cricket Australia’s perspective, the importance of maintaining all three formats of the game is clear. Hockley emphasized that each bilateral series should contribute to World Cup qualifications, ensuring every match holds significance.
The prospect of an India vs Pakistan bilateral series in Australia is an exciting one, potentially rekindling one of cricket’s greatest rivalries on neutral ground. Cricket Australia’s interest signals a possible new chapter for international cricket fans eagerly awaiting such iconic matches outside ICC events.
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