“I would love to play a Test match against Pakistan,” is the catch line by Rohit Sharma that has sparked hopes of Indo-Pak cricketing ties to be revived in the near future.
In the podcast with former England captain Michael Vaughan and former Australian wicketkeeper batter Adam Gilchrist, Rohit was asked about an India-Pakistan Test match. “They (Pakistan) are a good team, they have got a superb bowling line-up. So it’ll be a good contest especially if you play overseas conditions. That’ll be awesome. Yeah, I would love to (play a Test against Pakistan), it would be a great contest,” said Rohit with his usual nonchalant style. He went on to say, “At the end of the day, we want to be in a contest and I think it will be a great contest between the two sides. We anyway play them in ICC trophies, so it doesn’t really matter. It’s just pure cricket that I’m looking at.”
Not only are the bilateral series stalled but Pakistan players are also not allowed to play in the glitzy and lucrative Indian Premier T20 league. They featured only in the 2008 inaugural edition but since terrorist attacks on India’s commercial hub, Mumbai, not only the ties were suspended but the doors of IPL were also shut down on Pakistan players. In a recent interview IPL chairman Arun Dhamal also showed helplessness on the issue but let the door open by saying, “at the moment Pakistan players are not allowed but you cannot say what will happen in the future.”
Rohit is one of many players from both the countries who have not featured in an Indo-Pakistan Test match, the last of which was held at Bangalore in 2007. As someone who was present at the stadium and one of few journalists who covered the historic 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 series, I can vouch that Test cricket badly needs Pakistan and India to play again. For the sake of Test cricket’s survival all those at the helm must work to get these matches happening. There have been efforts and offers to hold Indo-Pakistan matches. Sources say Cricket Australia had offered both the countries to play a tri-series later this year. It was a great opportunity as Pakistan will be touring Down Under for ODIs and T20Is while India are due for a Test series soon after that.
But the Board of Control for Cricket in India turned down the offer.
Australian cricket authorities had offered to host a neutral Test — Pakistan vs India — last year as well. After the high voltage India versus Pakistan match at the World Cup Twenty20 at the iconic MCG, Cricket Australia had realised that expats from both the countries can be attracted for a Test match, just like they filled the MCG to an attendance of 90,000 plus in 2022. England and Wales Cricket Board is also ready to host Indo-Pakistan matches as they also have a large number of expats from both the countries. Recently Counties have also shown desire to host Indo-Pakistan matches.
It would be a fantastic occasion if it comes about.
Cricket a tool for peace
Cricket has always helped Pakistan and India in improving the bilateral relations. General Zia-ul-Haq averted an imminent war in 1987 by surprisingly landing in India, much to the surprise and shock of the then Indian Premier Rajiv Gandhi. The 1999 tour of Pakistan team across the border also helped ease the simmering tension at that time. Indian Premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee also opened the door for a historic tour when he permitted his national team to visit Pakistan in 2004. That tour is part of folklore, a cricketing history for people to appreciate and remember. General Pervez Musharraf also eased the heat when he toured India and attended an ODI in Delhi in 2005.
Then the last full tour happened in 2007. Pakistan played a three-Test series and ODIs. That tour also raised hopes of continuous cricket but Mumbai attacks put paid to all hopes and chances. Pakistan did try to convince India to play and sent the team across the border in 2012. Pakistan played two T20Is and three ODIs but Pakistan’s big heartedness was not reciprocated.
All Pakistan’s efforts were futile. India’s reply had always been terse. The BCCI had always maintained they needed the government’s permission to play a bilateral series against Pakistan. The International Cricket Council has also shown helplessness in this regard as their stance is that the bilateral series is for the two countries to decide.
So how will the ties be revived? The general opinion is that with both elected governments (India will complete elections in June) and with Narenadra Modi strongly favourite to clinch a third term he will change his stance towards Pakistan. Political analysts believe Modi wishes to get a Nobel Prize for Peace and for that to come about he will work towards achieving that. Since cricket is a tool for peace it will be used to the best effect.
There are hopes that the ties will be considered this year. The 2004 tour, the 2012 series and a few ICC matches came about in a trice. So, fingers crossed. The Indo-Pak matches, so sought after by over a billion people, is bound to happen.
