The interim CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Geoff Allardice, stated that the India & Pakistan cricket teams will not engage in bilateral relations unless the BCCI and the PCB approve. The two countries haven’t staged a bilateral series since Pakistan visited India in 2012. Since then, the arch-rivals have only met in competitions organized by the International Cricket Council and the Asian Cricket Council.
India and Pakistan battled at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the recent T20 World Cup – And the game was won by Babar Azam’s Men in Green by a ten-wicket margin. Regarding the India-Pakistan relationships, Allardice stated that the ICC will be unable to impact ties between the 2 Asian countries.
A pragmatic approach to keep them apart and let the competition function: Allardice ( intrim CEO of ICC)
Allardice said – “Not in bilateral cricket. We obviously enjoy when they play each other in our events. But the relationship between the two countries and the boards is something the ICC isn’t able to influence,”
He also added – “Like any bilateral cricket, if the two boards agree they play, if they don’t, then they don’t. I suppose we’re not seeing much of a change on the horizon,” he stated.
India and Pakistan are both members of the World Test Championship 2021-23, although they are not expected to face each other. Allardice stated that if they make the final, they will compete in a neutral venue.
“It’s just a pragmatic approach to keep them apart and let the competition function. If they both make it to the final of an ICC tournament, then playing each other at a neutral venue,” Allardice mentioned.
Allardice also believes that T20 is the ideal format for the Olympics. “At the moment, yes. It is our shortest format and one of the things we have to do is put our best foot forward as an international sport. While T20 is our shortest format, that will be our proposal for the Olympic games,” he added.
