PCB Chief Prioritizes Champions Trophy Hosting Over Bilateral Series with India

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi suggests Pakistan's willingness to consider bilateral series with India إذا they participate in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year. Naqvi emphasized the priority of hosting the tournament and India's participation. The last bilateral series between the teams was in 2012-13, and India has declined Test matches against Pakistan since 2007. Due to India's refusal to play in Pakistan last year, the Asia Cup was held in a hybrid format. Naqvi met with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah in February, signaling potential future discussions.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that the PCB would be open to the idea of playing with India in bilateral series if they send their team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year.

Talking to reporters in Lahore during a function, Naqvi was asked about the recent interview of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, in which he praised the Pakistan cricket team and said it would be ''awesome'' to play the neighbours from across the border in a Test series overseas.

''Look, if any options in this regard come we will consider it, but our target right now is to host the Champions Trophy and first let India come for the tournament,'' he said.

''Right now till the CT there is no slot available as our team has a packed itinerary.'' ''Once they come here first then we can look at any proposal whenever it comes before us,'' he added.

The two teams last played a bilateral limited overs series in 2012-13, when Pakistan visited India. But India has refused to play any Tests against Pakistan since 2007, when the two countries engaged in a rubber on Indian soil.

Last year India refused to send its team for the Asia Cup matches in Pakistan and eventually the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had to adopt a hybrid model for the event which was split with a vast majority of the matches being organised in Sri Lanka.

Naqvi met with BCCI secretary Jay Shah during an ICC meeting in Dubai in February.