Lord’s, Edgbaston, and The Oval in contention to host first India-Pakistan Test match since 2007

It feels like a lifetime since arch-rivals India and Pakistan played their last Test match, quite literally. The last fixture of the longest format of the game between the two sides was played in 2007 when Pakistan toured India to play five ODIs followed by three Tests, both of which India won by respective margins of 3-2 and 1-0. Fast forward 17 years, a fresh development has emerged regarding three iconic venues in England, all willing to host the next Test match between India and Pakistan.

For those not in the know, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, while speaking on the Club Praire Fire podcast, "would love to" play a Test match at a neutral venue against neighbours Pakistan, stating that it'd be "awesome" to play against a team with a "superb bowling lineup". 

Also Read: Rohit Sharma responds 'why not' to India-Pakistan Tests at neutral venues

Notably, India last hosted Pakistan in the white-ball format during the 2012-13 series, post which they've only played in global tournaments like the World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the Asia Cup. Given the extensive broadcasting reach and the widespread appeal of India-Pakistan clashes when it comes to ODIs and T20s, representatives from Surrey and Warwickshire have expressed their enthusiasm to be considered as hosts for an India-Pakistan Test match. 

Surrey's chief executive, Steve Elworthy, remarked that they were fully open to delving into the exciting prospect of hosting a Test between India and Pakistan. “We would definitely be open to exploring that,” said Elworthy. 

The chief executive of Warwickshire, Stuart Cain, seemed to be a massive proponent for the proposition, observing that it'd be a fantastic experience for fans of both the countries living in the West Midlands, a metropolitan and ceremonial county of England.

“We’d be hugely supportive of the proposal. It would be fantastic for the region and the many Pakistan and India fans who live in the West Midlands," stated Cain.

Around 4000 tickets were sold in the first hour for the World Championship of Legends match between India and Pakistan, being just another indicator to the craze and gluttonous appetite for the big-ticket clash. Another case of sold-out clashes between non-English teams are The Rose Bowl and The Kia Oval playing host to the two finals of the World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023, respectively. The previous time Lord's hosted a neutral Test was between Australia and Pakistan in 2010, with the distinguished venue set to host the World Test Championship final in 2005.