Xtra Time Web Desk: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed they will not have any bilateral ties with Pakistan in the FTP cycle 2023-27. According to a report, the board has sent a note to all its state associations listing the entire Future Tours Programme (FTP) for next 4 years cycle. The reason BCCI specified for not having any bilateral series with Pakistan is that any bilateral series with their neighbours can only be possible after a nod from Government of India.
The BCCI has kept the columns for games against Pakistan ‘blank’.
As far as series involving India in the FTP is concerned, the Men in Blue will play 38 Tests (20 home and 18 away). They will also play 42 ODIs (21 each home and away) & 61 T20Is (31 home and 30 away) in the 2023-2027 cycle.
The number of bilateral matches India will play across formats has been reduced from the previous cycle (163 to 141). This is due to an ICC event every year and a bigger dedicated window for the Indian Premier League (75-80 days every season),
The report also says, BCCI will be playing bigger nations more instead of meaningless contests. BCCI has planned more tests, ODI and T20 series against England & Australia. According to the new FTP, Indian team will either play a test or white ball series against Australia and England every two years either home or away basis i.e., one home series every four years.