It is ridiculous that India-Pakistan don’t play bilateral series: Ian Chappell

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels that it is unacceptable that India-Pakistan do not play bilateral series. The two countries recently met in the T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 stages and the game went right down to the wire. A massive crowd of 90,000 fans arrived at the mighty MCG stadium to witness the fixture and it took a special innings from Virat Kohli to take India home. 

Before the mouthwatering game, the England and Wales Cricket Board had already expressed its desire to host a Test series between India-Pakistan. India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series previously in 2012-13 and there has been a constant urge from experts around the world to see the nations back in action regularly. 

Speaking on that, Chappell revealed his opinion on India-Pakistan not engaging in bilateral series.  “It is ridiculous,” Chappell was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.  

Ian Chappell recalls an India-Pakistan game from 1996

Chappell recalled an instance from 1996 in Toronto and he remembered asking a query to the players on the reason behind the hatred between them.

“I did a tournament going way back to 1996 in Toronto, where India and Pakistan were both playing, and I remember talking to players from both sides. And I said why do you like to dislike each other? And they said, we don't, we don't dislike each other at all, we get on very well. And it was interesting to see how the teams mixed. But the one thing they said is the problem is the politicians. It's the politicians who cause the animosity between the two. And I just think it's damn ridiculous that you haven't got Test matches between India and Pakistan.” 

On asked if neutral venue could be an idea to resume the bilateral series, Chappell stated that it was on the cards but mentioned that it would be better if both teams tour each other constantly. 

“That's where they should be playing Test cricket,” he added. 

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