The England Cricket Board (ECB) have offered to host a red-ball series between arch rivals India and Pakistan as the two sides haven’t met each other in the longest format of the game since 2007.
According to a report by the Telegraph, ECB’s deputy chairman Martin Darlow has held talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the ongoing T20I series between England and Pakistan. However, the report also suggest that despite the ECB’s offer, PCB is not keen on playing in a neutral venue as only recently they have started to host international cricket, ending a decade-long exile.
The report also says that although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the PCB enjoy good relationships with each other, it will require a massive change in political mood between the governments of the two countries.
The current tour is the first time in 17 years that England have toured Pakistan with the teams playing an unprecedented 7-match T20I series. After the T20 World Cup, England will play a three-match Test series in Pakistan too.
Following the infamous 2008 Mumbai Terror attacks, India and Pakistan have only played each other in ICC events or the Asia Cup.
Also, due to the political tensions between the two countries, the World Test Championship (WTC) has not seen India and Pakistan being drawn with each other in the first three editions as it will require a bilateral series and an India-Pakistan Test would only happen if both teams end up reaching the final of the event.