MCC, Victorian govt keen to host neutral Test between India & Pakistan

New Delhi: The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) and the Victorian government are keen to host a neutral Test match between India and Pakistan. After a high-voltage clash between the two Asian giants in the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the MCC has shown interest to host a Test. Talking on SEN radio during the second Test between Australia and South Africa, MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said that MCC and the Victorian government have inquired about the same to Cricket Australia.

Stuart Fox said that three Tests between India and Pakistan would fill in the stadiums. He added that it is complicated and looking at the busy schedules, it seems like a challenge. Fox added that he hopes Cricket Australia takes it up with the ICC.

A CA spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo that the decision on playing a neutral Test series between India and Pakistan is solely in the hands of the BCCI and the PCB. He added that if they decide to play, CA will like to host it in Australia.

India and Pakistan played their last Test match against each other in 2007 and have not played against each other in bilateral series outside of the ICC events and the Asia Cup since 2013. The last Test between the two nations was played in Bengaluru and was a run-fest as Saurav Ganguly scored a double ton in the first inning and a 91 in the second, while Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Misbah-ul-Haq scored centuries. The game eventually ended in a draw and India took the series 1-0.

No bilateral cricket is scheduled between India and Pakistan on the Future Tours Program from 2023 to 2027 amid political tensions between the neighbouring countries. They are set to face each other in Asia Cup in Pakistan and the 2023 World Cup in India, however, there are discussions about the same amid the tensions.