Cricket may renew India, Pak ties

When it comes to India-Pakistan relations, talks of bonhomie can make way for mindless hostility in the bat of an eyelid. Cricket relations aren’t exempt from it. Through their history of existence, the political equation between the two sparring neighbours has, more often than not, dictated the course of their cricketing ties as well. Whenever there has been a transgression on the part of Pakistan in covert and overt manner, India has suspended cricket matches between the two countries to send out a signal. The prevailing simmering tension between India and Pakistan had threatened to consume the much-awaited bilateral series scheduled to be held next month but earnest efforts from both sides appear to have salvaged at least a truncated series; a welcome development given the interest with which contests between the two countries are followed.

According to the MoU signed between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board following the power shake-up at the International Cricket Council, the latter was to host the Indian side for a full-fledged series for the first time in seven years. The last time the two traditional rivals met in a series involving Tests and ODIs was in 2007-2008 in India. Pakistan also travelled to India in 2012-13 for a short series of three ODIs and two T20Is after which the engagements between the two countries have been limited to ICC events.

Though a part of the Indian Premier League in 2014 was held in the UAE — Pakistan’s adopted home — without any hiccup, the BCCI has been unwilling to send its team to the gulf nation citing security reasons. While Pakistan insisted that India honour their commitment, the BCCI instead proposed a home series. While this was going to be a non-starter, India agreed to play Pakistan in a neutral venue other than the UAE. Between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the island nation has emerged as a strong contender to host the high-profile series which though is likely to be reduced to three ODIs and two T20Is due to paucity of time. After the limited overs’ series, the two neighbours are likely to play Test series in England. As a result, Pakistan will suffer a huge cut in their revenue as the host nation too will extract its pound of flesh. Pakistan, who were hoping to cash in on India’s visit to the UAE, may feel short-changed by the new arrangement but under the circumstances, this is the best one could have hoped for. It’s not a done deal yet because when it comes to these two nations, there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. The apprehensions notwithstanding, there is a ray of hope for the two arch rivals to renew their rivalry, and perhaps help normalise the situation on either side of the border.