MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia has reaffirmed its willingness to host a trilateral series with India and Pakistan.
Nick Hockley, Chief Executive of Cricket Australia (CA), said that if the BCCI and PCB agree to play each other in the future, Australia is ready to host a bilateral and tri-series.
Highlighting the immense anticipation surrounding matches between Pakistan and India, Hockley emphasized CA’s readiness to assist in organizing both a bilateral series and a tri-series with the two cricketing nations.
“We recognize the historic rivalry between Pakistan and India, which generates significant excitement among fans,” Hockley stated. “Cricket Australia stands prepared to facilitate these matchups and contribute to the revival of bilateral series between the two teams.”
However, Hockley noted that such initiatives hinge on the cooperation of the respective cricket boards and the governments of India and Pakistan. “Ultimately, decisions on these matters lie with the cricket boards, and we are willing to support them in hosting these events,” he added.
Political tensions have prevented Pakistan and India from playing a Test series since 2007/08 and a bilateral series in any format since 2012/13. Despite this, encounters between the two teams have been restricted to multi-national tournaments such as the Asia Cup and ICC World Cups.
Last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) adopted a hybrid hosting model for the Asia Cup, hosting some matches in Pakistan while India’s matches and the final took place in Sri Lanka.
