ECB offer to host India-Pakistan Test series in England; hold talks with PCB, BCCI dismiss suggestion: Reports

A 15-year-old wait for a Test match between India and Pakistan could come to an end as the England Cricket Board (ECB) have offered to host a red-ball series between the two sides in England as a neutral host. The two arch-rivals have not played each other in the longest format of the game since 2007.

According to a report by the Telegraph, ECB's deputy chairman Martin Darlow has held talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the ongoing T20I series between England and Pakistan. The current tour is the first time in 17 years that England have toured Pakistan with the teams playing an unprecedented 7-match T20I series. After the T20 World Cup, England will play a three-match Test series in Pakistan too.

Despite the ECB's offer, Pakistan are not keen on playing in a neutral venue as only recently they have started to host international cricket again after almost a decade-long exile. The same report also states that while the BCCI and PCB enjoy good relationships with each other, it will require a major change in political mood between the governments of the two countries.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) denied any talks and explained that the decision remains in the hands of the government and there is no possibility of it happening for now. "Firstly, ECB spoke to PCB about an Indo-Pak series and that's a bit weird. In any case, a series against Pakistan is not something that the BCCI will decide but it is the decision of the government. As of now, the stance remains the same. We only play Pakistan at multi-team events," said a BCCI official to news agency PTI.

Since the 2008 Mumbai Terror attacks, India and Pakistan have only played each other in ICC events or the Asia Cup. A small exception to this was made when the Men in Green toured India for a short series that included two T20Is and three ODIs but that did not include any Test match and in the ten years since, the countries have not played any bilateral cricket again. The last red-ball game between the two sides was held in 2007 when Pakistan toured India for a multi-format series.

Due to the political relations between the two countries, the World Test Championship (WTC) has not seen India and Pakistan being drawn with each other in the first three editions as it will require a bilateral series. An India-Pakistan Test match could happen if both teams end up reaching the final of the event.

England has previously hosted a home Test series for Pakistan in 2010 when they faced Australia in a two-match Test series. India and Pakistan played each other in English at the group stage of 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy as well as the 2019 World Cup league stage. The 2017 Champions Trophy saw a blockbuster India-Pakistan final that took place at the Oval in London.