Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley has expressed their interest in hosting an India vs Pakistan bilateral series in Australia. The marquee India vs Pakistan bilateral series has not been played since 2012-13. The two teams only meet at global ICC events.
“If we can play a role in helping and facilitating the India vs Pakistan bilateral series, we would be more than happy to do so,” Hockley told The Indian Express during a select media interaction.
In the recently-concluded 2024 T20 World Cup, the two nations played their group-stage match in New York, which India won by six runs. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team eventually won the trophy, whereas Babar Azam’s Pakistan were knocked out from the group stage.
After the 2022 T20 World Cup, where 90,293 witnessed a last-ball India vs Pakistan thriller at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Melbourne Cricket Club (operators of the MCG) and the Victorian government have expressed the desire to host the two teams in bilateral matches at the MCG.
“Given the schedules, we haven’t had formal discussions in that regard, but we have said it on the record that we will be happy to host the India vs Pakistan bilateral series,” said Hockley.
Future of ODI cricket
Although Australia are the defending champions of one-day cricket, CA chief Nick Hockley suggested that the 50-over bilateral series must have some contests to keep ODIs afloat in the near future.
“The ODI World Cup which India hosted last year was fantastic. I think the ten-team format, where every game counts is excellent,” he said.
“I think the challenge for world cricket is to ensure that all bilateral series must have a contest. Each series must have consequences, like the Test matches, which help you to progress in the World Test Championships (WTC) finals.
“We need something similar for the white ball format. Be it the rankings and other factors that relate to the qualifications for the World Cups.
“From an Australian perspective, we would continue to value all three formats and would also want that each bilateral series must have consequences in terms of qualifications for the World Cups,” he added.