Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/ MELBOURNE: The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) has expressed interest in hosting a Test match between Pakistan and India – who haven’t faced off in the game’s longest format since the suspension of bilateral cricket between them in 2007.
After India hosted Pakistan in a limited-overs series in 2013, the cricket rivals have only come face to face in the Asia Cup and the Twenty20 and One Day International World Cups.
90,000 people watched Pak vs India T20 WC match in Melbourne
The last time the two cricket teams collided was at the Twenty20 World Cup in October, where more than 90,000 spectators jammed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch the match in which India triumphed after a nail-biting contest.
According to MCC Chief Executive Stuart Fox, the atmosphere at that game demonstrated that it would not be difficult to fill venue for a test series between the two. “I’ve never felt anything like the atmosphere for that game,” he told radio station SEN.
“The commotion after each ball was incredible. At the MCG, three straight tests would be lovely; you’d fill the place every time.”
“Cricket Australia has been contacted about that. I am aware that Victoria’s government has done the same. Between the extremely busy schedule and how much I can understand, it’s extremely complicated. Therefore, I believe that presents a bigger challenge,” he said.
He added, “When you do see some of the stadiums around the world empty, I think it would be much better to have a full house and that atmosphere and celebrate the game with full houses.”
Fox expressed hope that Cricket Australia would continue pursuing the idea with the International Cricket Council, the global governing body for the game.
