Cricket Australia offers a mega MCG showdown for India-Pakistan bilateral bash
Xtra Time Web Desk: Cricket Australia (CA) has expressed the desire to host a bilateral series between India and Pakistan if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agree to clash in a bilateral contest in future for the first time in 12 years.
In a highly anticipated cricketing event, both the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams are gearing up to visit Australia for their respective series scheduled for November. India will engage in a five-match Test series commencing on November 22 in Perth, while Pakistan will face off against Australia in a three-match ODI and T20I series.
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CEO Nick opened that they would be happy to host the bilateral series between India and Pakistan at the iconic MCG if they get an opportunity. Hockley stated, "I think anyone that was here for the India-Pakistan game at the MCG, it will go down as one of the most memorable occasions, not just sporting occasions, that I've ever been to. So, people want to see that contest. We would love to host that if the opportunity arose. If we can play a role, we'd love to play a role."
The upcoming series marks a significant bilateral encounter between India and Pakistan since their last showdown in 2012-13. Over the years, encounters between the two cricketing giants have been confined to events like the Asia Cup or ICC tournaments only.
Building upon the monumental success of the 2022 T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where a record-breaking crowd of 90,293 witnessed a thrilling last-ball showdown, cricket authorities are now eyeing the prospect of hosting both teams at the iconic venue. Virat Kohli's unforgettable knock of 82* added to the spectacle, leaving a lasting imprint on cricket fans worldwide.
Alongside CA, the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCG operators), and the Victorian government expressing keen interest, discussions have ignited regarding the possibility of staging a bilateral series clash between India and Pakistan at the MCG. The move is not only anticipated to reignite the fervour witnessed during the T20 World Cup but also promises significant financial gains for the stakeholders involved.
Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia, voiced his enthusiasm for the prospect, stating that hosting the bilateral series at the iconic MCG would be a welcome opportunity. As anticipation mounts for the forthcoming cricketing extravaganza, fans eagerly await confirmation regarding the venue for what promises to be an electrifying clash between two cricketing powerhouses.
