No India vs Pakistan bilateral series until the two boards agree: ICC Interim CEO Geoff Allardice

Geoff Allardice, the interim CEO of the ICC, said that India and Pakistan cricket teams won’t be engaging in bilateral ties until the BCCI and the PCB agree to the same. The two nations haven’t played bilateral series since Pakistan toured India back in 2012. Since then, the arch-rivals have only locked horns in tournaments, hosted by the ICC and the Asian Cricket Council.

Back on Sunday, October 24, India and Pakistan crossed swords in the T20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Babar Azam’s Men in Green won the game comprehensively by 10 wickets. On India-Pakistan ties, Allardice said that ICC won’t be able to influence relationships between the two Asian countries.

I suppose we’re not seeing much of a change on the horizon, says Geoff Allardice

“Not in bilateral cricket. We obviously enjoy when they play each other in our events. But the relationship between the two countries and the boards is something the ICC isn’t able to influence,” Allardice was quoted as saying to News 18.

“Like any bilateral cricket, if the two boards agree they play, if they don’t, then they don’t. I suppose we’re not seeing much of a change on the horizon,” he stated.

India and Pakistan are also a part of the 2021-23 World Test Championship, but they are not scheduled to play against each other. Allardice said that if they qualify for the final, they will be playing at a neutral venue.

“Its’s just a pragmatic approach to keep them apart and let the competition function. If they both make it to the final of an ICC tournament, then playing each other at a neutral venue,” Allardice mentioned.

Allardice also opined that T20 is the best format for the Olympics. “At the moment, yes. It is our shortest format and one of things we have to do is put our best foot forward as an international sport. While T20 is our shortest format, that will be our proposal for the Olympic games,” he added.

On Friday, November 12, the schedule for the women’s T20 in the 2022 Commonwealth Games was announced. India and Australia are set to lock horns in the opening match at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.