In a significant development for international cricket, Richard Gould, the Chief Executive Officer of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has expressed his keen interest in hosting a Test series between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. The two nations last engaged in a bilateral series in 2013, where Pakistan triumphed over India 2-1 in an ODI series on Indian soil. The last time they faced off in a red-ball series was in 2007.
During the third Test between England and the West Indies, Gould discussed several pertinent issues, including the possibility of hosting a much-anticipated India-Pakistan Test series in England. “Everyone would love that,” Gould remarked. “I wouldn’t say it’s [hosting an India-Pakistan Test] impossible. The longstanding political tensions between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board, as well as between the respective governments, are well-known. It’s quite fascinating.”
Reflecting on his recent experience at the ICC meetings in Sri Lanka, Gould observed the camaraderie between Indian and Pakistani cricket fans. “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 the ECB’s commitment to participating in the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February to March. Despite uncertainties surrounding India’s participation, the ECB remains determined to support the event. “There’s a great deal of determination to ensure the Champions Trophy is successfully hosted in Pakistan next year,” said Gould. “This determination is particularly strong from both the PCB and the ECB.”
In a related context, India’s captain Rohit Sharma has voiced his enthusiasm for a Test series against Pakistan, praising their formidable bowling attack. In a conversation with former England captain Michael Vaughan on the podcast Club Prairie Fire, Sharma expressed his belief that regular encounters between the two nations would be fantastic for Test cricket.
“I totally believe that! They are a good team,” Rohit affirmed. “They have got a superb bowling line-up. I think it would be a good contest, especially if you play in overseas conditions. That would be awesome.”
Vaughan recalled the last Test match between the two teams in 2007, noting Wasim Jaffer’s double century in Kolkata. When asked if he would like to see a regular series with Pakistan, Rohit responded enthusiastically, “I would love to. At the end of the day, we want to be in contest. It would be a great contest between the two sides. We already play them in ICC tournaments, so it doesn’t even matter. I am only interested in pure cricket, a battle between bat and ball. It will be a great contest, so why not?”
The prospect of an India-Pakistan Test series continues to capture the imagination of cricket fans worldwide, with stakeholders and players alike showing a growing desire to see this iconic rivalry renewed on the cricket field.
