'There are promising opportunities' - PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi on chances of India-Pakistan series

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman  Mohsin Naqvi has hinted at the possibility of a long-awaited India-Pakistan cricket series. The development has reignited hope among fans of both nations who have been deprived of bilateral cricket encounters for over a decade due to political tensions between the two nations.

The cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most intense and celebrated in sports history. However, the last bilateral series between these two cricketing giants took place in 2012-13. Since then, their encounters have been limited to multinational tournaments.

Naqvi's comments suggest a potential breakthrough in the long-standing halt. According to Cricket Pakistan, the PCB Chairman stated that there are promising opportunities for an India-Pakistan series. He even hinted that such a series might not be confined to neutral venues like Australia.

"The PCB Chairman suggested that there are promising opportunities for an India-Pakistan series, not limited to playing in Australia, hinting at potential good news for cricket fans eager to see the historic rivalry revived," a Cricket Pakistan report said.

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It will be necessary for the cricketers to pass the fitness test: Mohsin Naqvi 

Naqvi confirmed that Pakistan would host all matches of the 2025 Champions Trophy. More importantly, he indicated positive progress regarding India's participation in the tournament, which could be a monumental step in normalising cricketing relations between the two nations.

However, it's crucial to note that there's no official confirmation yet on whether the Indian cricket team will travel to Pakistan for their matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Naqvi also addressed the importance of player fitness and domestic cricket participation. He emphasised the mandatory nature of the Yo-Yo test for Pakistan cricket team players.

"It will be necessary for the cricketers to pass the fitness test. There will be no compromise on fitness, all the fitness tests including the Yo-Yo test will have to be passed. Players who do not play domestic cricket will not be able to join the national team again," said the PCB chief.

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After a dismal T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, the Men in Green will be next seen in action against Bangladesh for a two-match Test series at home, starting from August 21 in Rawalpindi.