India and Pakistan could resume bilateral ties with T20I series in 2021: Report

The bilateral cricket ties between arch-rivals India and Pakistan could reportedly resume this year. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series for nearly a decade because of the political tension between the two countries. The last Test series between the two countries had taken place way back in 2007 when Pakistan visited India for five ODIs and three Tests.

As far as the last bilateral Test series between the two countries is concerned, it took place in 2012-13 season when Pakistan visited India for a short limited-overs series. India, on the other hand, last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup. Since the suspension of the bilateral ties, both the teams have only played against each other in Asia Cups and ICC tournaments. They last played against each other at the 2019 World Cup.

Bilateral series on the cards

The fans could finally see India and Pakistan taking on each other in a bilateral series this year if everything goes according to plan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received indication from higher authorities that a bilateral series with India could be on the horizon this year, according to a report from Pakistani news outlet Daily Jang. An unnamed PCB official also told the news outlet that something could materialize this year.

“We’ve been told to be prepared,” the official was quoted as saying by the Urdu daily.

Jang further reported that the reports regarding the revival of the India-Pakistan bilateral series have started doing the rounds in the Indian media as well.

If everything falls in place, a window of six days for three T20I matches could be created. The series is likely to take place in the second half of the year. Earlier this month, PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani had also delivered a promising comment regarding the cricket relation between the two countries. The PCB boss had said that Pakistan were hopeful of hosting India in 2023 for the Asia Cup.

“Pakistan has to host the Asia Cup in 2023. India’s participation in the tournament will be a big breakthrough for Pakistan cricket. I hope that the political situation would improve by then,” Mani had told GeoSuper in an interview.