India and Pakistan could play Test series for the first time in 15 years as England have offered to be a neutral host for the series. England & Wales Cricket Board’s deputy chairman Martin Darlow held a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board’s officials. Pakistan and England are currently playing seven-match T20I series. ECB is playing for a three-match Test series in England between India and Pakistan. The contest will attract a huge number of people in the UK and will also be helpful for the growth of Test cricket.
ECB has offered to host Pakistan vs India Test Series in England as a Neutral host#PAKvENG #INDvSA #PakistanCricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/5ZE7Ql2FRS
— Jahanzaib (@JbCricket1) September 27, 2022
This will be the first time that Team India will face Pakistan in the longest format of the game in 15 years and thus it will be politically acceptable if that happens on neutral turf. Both countries have faced each other in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022 in UAE and are scheduled to play in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. India vs Pakistan is one of the biggest rivalries in cricket and thus attracts huge sponsorship revenue and television audiences. The 2011 World Cup semi-final was watched by 495million people on TV.
However, it is very unlikely that the series will take place as the PCB is not keen on playing India. This could also be related to, Pakistan players not being allowed in the Indian Premier League and the other leagues where teams are owned by Indian franchises for example South Africa T20 League. While PCB could have declined the offer as this could send the wrong message in the cricketing world to play India in England as Pakistan are pursuing teams and the world to play in their own country after a decade-long absence. However, declining the offer puts Pakistan on the back foot as the series could have brought vital funds to Pakistan Cricket Board.
