The India–Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world. The two sides first played in 1952, when Pakistan toured India. Test and, later, limited overs series have been played ever since, although a number of planned tours by both sides have been cancelled or aborted due to political factors. No cricket was played between the two countries between 1962 and 1977 due to two major wars in 1965 and 1971 and the 1999 Kargil War and the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks have also interrupted cricketing ties between the two nations. Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan said Pakistan wants to resume bilateral ties with India. Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan on Tuesday said playing their home matches in the United Arab Emirates is not an option anymore.
Frankly speaking the security situation has improved in Pakistan and security experts have also assessed that we are in a position to manage security risks while hosting teams in the country, Khan added. He said his board has not paid any money to Cricket Sri Lanka for its tour to Karachi and Lahore to play a series of One-day internationals and T20 matches. Khan said that since PCB wants the Pakistan cricket team to play all their home Test and limited over series in Pakistan, it is trying to convince other boards to start sending their teams to the country. The PCB succeeded in bringing a World XI side to Lahore and then convinced Sri Lanka to play a lone T20 in the same city.
Last year they also hosted a depleted West Indies team for three T20 matches in Karachi, which came at the cost of extra money to the players and the concerned WICB by the PCB. He said that Pakistan also wants Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to come and play Pakistan’s home Tests of the ICC Championship in the country in December and January. The PCB official also said Pakistan wants to resume bilateral ties with India. If they also express the desire to play against us we would be willing to even play at a neutral venue as it is important that India and Pakistan play cricket. We will play with India. I will be happy to explore possibilities of playing them, Khan said.
