 |
Following a 15-year gap, the Indian cricket team will visit Pakistan, according to the BCCI, in advance of its significant Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will be held on October 18 in Mumbai.
The developing situation for Asia Cup 2023
In 2023, Pakistan will host the Asia Cup before India hosts the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in October and November.
It will be interesting to see how things go because teams like England, Australia, the West Indies, and Sri Lanka have already traveled to Pakistan in recent years. The BCCI will need approval from the federal government before the team can visit Pakistan, though.
According to the reports, a BCCI official did say,
"It will be subject to the clearance of the Government of India as always."
The BCCI note appears to be indicating otherwise, but there is always the option of holding the event in the UAE, like this year's Asia Cup.
So, it's almost confirmed if India refrains from sending the men in blue to Pakistan. Then Pakistan will also refrain from doing so as retaliation. If this happens that according to fans on both sides of the border both events would be boring, as usually Pak vs Ind matches are often the most watched sports event in the world.
Stranded bilateral cricket relations between Pakistan and India
If the Indian team is allowed to come to Pakistan for Asia Cup, it'll be ground-breaking news. Because the last time India came to Pakistan was almost 15 years ago in 2008. When Pakistan hosted the 2008's world cup and Sri Lanka won the final against India.
 |
| Asia Cup 2008: last time India came to Pakistan |
It's also pertinent to mention that counterintuitively, 2023's Asia Cup would be a 50-over ODI format. As opposed to the 2022's T20 Asia Cup. Soon after Pakistan will host the infamous Asia Cup in the ODI format. India will also host the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.
India vs Pak: what the fans are manifesting
People across the border are hyped like never before. Pakistani fans are eagerly waiting to welcome their neighbors to their homeland with un-seen gratitude & love.
This intense craving can be attributed to the political tensions between both countries. Subsequently, Pakistan and India have had strained bilateral cricket relations since the last time Pakistan visited India in 2012 to play a bilateral series against India. Although the concept of a tour was put forth on both sides of the border, no concrete steps were taken.
India vs Pakistan in 2023; who won more?
Pakistan has played against India 3 times this year & has won 2 times of the 3 times. Soon Pakistan and India will come face to face in T20 World Cup at Melbourne Cricket ground, Australia, on the 23rd of October.
However, expectations aside, the last decision is to be taken by the government of India. If they give the green light then this will be a massive Step in bilateral cricket between Pakistan and Indian cricket.