The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Richard Gould, welcomed the prospect of hosting a Test series between Pakistan and India.
The arch-rivals last played a bilateral series in 2013 where Pakistan beat India 2-1 in three ODI series at the latter’s home. Meanwhile, the last red-ball series took place in 2007.
During the third match of the Test series between England and West Indies, Gould addressed various topics including the prospect of hosting a red-ball series between Pakistan and India.
"Everybody would love that. I wouldn't say it's [hosting and India v Pakistan Test] impossible. The politics between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board are long known, as are the politics between governments. And I find that fascinating," Gould said.
"We were in Sri Lanka over the weekend for ICC meetings, and you see Pakistan cricket supporters and India cricket supporters getting on so well, but as soon as the political element is put in, it creates issues," he added.
Gould also confirmed that the ECB is committed to participating in the Champions Trophy 2025 which is set to be played in Pakistan from February to March despite India’s participation in the tournament remaining a doubt.
"There's a great deal of determination to make sure it [Champions Trophy] is [hosted in Pakistan next year]," said Gould. "Particularly from the PCB and the ECB."
It is worth mentioning India’s captain, Rohit Sharma stated that he love to play a Test series against Pakistan and face their “superb” bowling lineup.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan, while speaking on the podcast Club Prairie Fire, had asked Rohit: “Don’t you think India playing Pakistan regularly will be fantastic for Test cricket?”
“I totally believe that! They are a good team,” Rohit replied. “They have got a superb bowling line-up. I think it would be a good contest, especially if you play in the overseas condition. That would be awesome.
“Last test match played between India and Pakistan was way back I think in 2006 or 2008 [2007], where Wasim Jaffar got a double hundred in Kolkata.”
Vaughan then asked Rohit: “Would you like to see a regular series with Pakistan?”
“I would love to. At the end of the day, we want to be in contest,” Rohit replied. “I think it will be a great contest between the two sides. We anyway play them in the ICC tournaments. So, it doesn’t even matter. I am only interested in pure cricket. I am not looking at anything else.
“It’s just pure cricket. A battle between bat and ball. It will be a great contest so why not.”
