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Calls for annual Indo-Pak showdown
Two absorbing series in the space of 12 months have encouraged officials from both sides to play out one of cricket's great rivalries every year.
Two absorbing Test series in the space of 12 months have encouraged officials from India and Pakistan to seek to play out one of cricket's great rivalries every year.
Moves were afoot on Tuesday to draw up a timetable under which the arch-rivals will cross each other's borders every year to cash in on the hysteria generated by what one official said was "the best advertisement for Test cricket."
When India visited Pakistan in March-April last year for their first Test series there in 15 years, the tourists won the first match in Multan, Pakistan drew level in Lahore and India won the third in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan's first series on Indian soil in six years, which ended in Bangalore on Monday, was equally riveting with all three Tests taking a decisive turn in the final session of the last day.
The series ended 1-1, with Pakistan drawing level in Bangalore with a 168-run victory after India had won the second Test in Kolkata by 195 runs.
The first Test in Mohali was drawn due to Pakistan's superb fightback after they led by just 53 runs with four wickets in hand. The seventh-wicket pair of Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq batted for most of the final day to deny India victory.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahrayar Khan confirmed he was in talks with Indian officials to hold a series every year.
"India and Pakistan playing each other provides the best advertisement for Test cricket," Khan said.
"The last two series have whetted our apetitite. It is good for the sport and good for both countries."
An average of 30,000 fans attended each day's play in Mohali, Kolkata and Bangalore, while millions on both sides of the border and around the world followed the matches on television.
