England offers to host India-Pakistan Test series

New Delhi: To end the long drought of Test matches between India and Pakistan, the England Cricket Board has offered to come in as the host. Martin Darlow, the deputy chairperson of the ECB, gave this idea to PCB chief Ramiz Raja during the ongoing T20I series. India and Pakistan played their last Test match in December 2007.

India and Pakistan have only played against each other in multi-nation or ICC tournaments. They have not played men’s cricket in a bilateral series since January 2013. The nations playing a Test against each other is possible in the World Test Championships Finals.

England’s captain for the T20I series in Pakistan, Moeen Ali said that it would be brilliant and it is a shame that they do not play each other. He also complimented both teams and said that these are two great teams and two massive playing nations. He added, “It would be one of the biggest games because it’s not been done for a very long time. It would be a great game because Pakistan have a really good bowling attack as well as India now, and India have a great Test side. It would be really good.”

While ECB is trying to build back relationships with PCB, Pakistan is trying to host games and bring back cricket home. It seems unlikely that the board will shift to a neutral venue again. As the political tensions between the two nations continue, there are fewer chances of a Test match to be held. However, if a Test between India-Pakistan is played, it will be a treat for the cricket fans.