PCB to speak to BCCI during ICC Champions Trophy on revival of bilateral series

PCB chief Shahryar Khan has said that he is willing to speak to BCCI representatives during the ICC Champions Trophy about the possibility of reviving bilateral cricket series between the two countries

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shahryar Khan has said that he is willing to speak to representatives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy to push for reviving bilateral cricket series between the two nations.

India and Pakistan last squared off in a bilateral series in 2012-13 and haven’t faced each other in a Test since 2007. (IDI via Getty Images)

The last time the two played against each other was back in the 2012-13 season when Pakistan toured India for two T20Is and three ODIs. They are yet to play a Test match since 2007.

According to Dunya News, Shahryar Khan is, however, willing to take a chance at Edgbaston where the two teams will face each other during the Champions Trophy, but has also admitted that it won’t be easy and chances are bleak. The PCB had sent a legal notice to BCCI a few days back stating that the latter had signed a MoU to play six bilateral series with Pakistan between 2015 and 2023.

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However, tension on the border has been at an all-time high for the last couple of years. The BCCI has stated that it can’t be playing cricket under such circumstances as it’s the government’s decision and they have nothing in their hands. The PCB slammed the response as an excuse and had asked for a compensation of $60million stating that since India haven’t played a single series, the board will face a loss of around $200-300 million.

However, the BCCI had later clarified that it was a “tentative understanding” and not a formal agreement as alleged by the PCB and said any such decision had to be approved by the central government. According to Dunya News, if the discussions fail, they take up the matter with the ICC in the upcoming days.