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It was the 20012/13 tour of Pakistan to India when the two sides played a bilateral series against each other. Since then, the political tensions between the two countries have restricted both sides from travelling to each other's shores. Hence, the ICC event becomes the only platform where fans manage to see the two teams battling it out against each other in a cricket game.
There is no doubt that every cricket fan, hailing from one of the two countries, loves to see the sides playing a game against each other. However, in the past 9 years, since the time Pakistan toured India, the sides have faced each other merely 9 times with India winning the 7 of them and Pakistan the rest two. Considering the craze of fans around an India vs Pakistan game, there have always been speculations on when can the two teams be seen playing against each other outside any major ICC tournament. While no one seemed to have an answer for that, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Rameez Raja has given a hint.
Hope to see both teams in action in a tri-nation series: Rameez Raja
While admitting that a bilateral series between the sides anytime soon looks a big deal, Raja has hinted that India might play Pakistan in a tri-nation series.
"Bilateral series between Pakistan and India seems unlikely at this moment but we can hope to see both teams in action in a tri-nation series perhaps," said Raja. However, he didn't give any time or venue where the series could take place, nor did he comment on which could be the third team.
India will not pull out Champions Trophy, believes Raja
After reports came that India might withdraw from the 2025 Champions Trophy that is slated to take place in Pakistan, Raja believes that the BCCI won't do it.
"It is not an easy task to pull out of an international tournament. Once the rights are awarded, these feuds between different cricketing boards are also considered while making the decision. In my opinion, India will not pull out," Raja said.
Notably, sports minister Anurag Thakur, a day ago, had revealed that the decision on whether India will go to Pakistan to play the 2025 Champions Trophy will be taken by the centre. However, Raja stated that he has "good working relations" with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and so things will become "easier" from the administrative point of view.