Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is set to take a historic step towards reviving bilateral cricket between Pakistan and India. According to sources, Naqvi is planning to invite the Indian team for a T20I series at a neutral venue in 2025. The invitation is expected to be extended during a meeting with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah at the ICC annual conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from July 19-22.
The PCB is willing to host the Indian team at a neutral venue, but is adamant that the Champions Trophy matches will be held in Pakistan. The board has assured that it will provide full-proof security to the Indian team and has even planned to construct a 5-star hotel adjacent to the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore.
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This new hotel will eliminate the need for teams to stay in distant hotels, thus minimizing road closures for security reasons.
Naqvi will try to persuade Shah to send the Indian team to Pakistan during their meeting at the ICC conference. However, it is the Indian government that will make the final decision on whether to allow the team to travel to Pakistan or not. The Indian government has been reluctant to allow its team to play bilateral matches in Pakistan due to security and political concerns.
Pakistan has been eager to revive bilateral cricket with India since the two nations have not played any series since 2012. The PCB has been working tirelessly to create a conducive environment for international cricket in the country, and this invitation marks a significant step towards achieving that goal.
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The proposal is likely to be discussed during the meeting of Naqvi and Shah, and if successful, it could pave the way for a historic series between the two arch-rivals.
The PCB’s efforts have been praised by many as a bold move towards promoting peace and friendship through sports. If successful, this initiative could also help to improve relations between the two countries. With Pakistan’s cricketing prowess and India’s massive fan base, a bilateral series would be a huge success, not just for cricket but also for diplomacy.