Cricket fans, especially those in Pakistan and India, have been waiting for years to see their teams clash in a bilateral series. But every time hopes rise, they get dashed just as quickly.
This time, the latest update came from Rajeev Shukla, BCCI’s vice-secretary, during his visit to Lahore for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
No Bilateral Pakistan-India Series Anytime Soon?
Shukla, along with other cricket board officials, was invited by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to watch the second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium. As expected, he was asked about the possibility of a Pakistan-India series.
His answer? The final call lies with the Indian government. That’s been the standard response for years, but what stood out this time was his take on neutral venues.
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Shukla made it clear—both BCCI and PCB prefer hosting a bilateral series on their home turf. That means no UAE, no England, no Sri Lanka—just India or Pakistan. And let’s be honest, given the current political climate, that seems highly unlikely.
India’s Matches in Dubai – No “Unfair” Advantage
Another hot topic surrounding the Champions Trophy 2025 was India playing all its matches in Dubai instead of Pakistan.
Many speculated that this gave them an advantage. Shukla dismissed these claims, saying the ICC had decided this long ago. He also emphasized that the Indian team isn’t dependent on pitch conditions.
“Even in Dubai, they play on different strips,” he pointed out, making it clear that the men in blue perform well no matter where they play.
Despite all the political and logistical challenges, Pakistan has successfully hosted the Champions Trophy. Shukla acknowledged this and praised PCB for pulling off a major ICC event. He also complimented the new look of Gaddafi Stadium, which underwent a massive renovation in just 117 days.
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The Reality Check
So, where does this leave us? While cricket fans continue to dream of a Pakistan-India series, the reality remains the same—it won’t happen without government approval. And given the circumstances, it doesn’t seem like that approval is coming anytime soon.
For now, fans will have to be content with ICC events and the occasional Asia Cup showdown. But who knows? Cricket has a way of surprising us. Maybe one day, we’ll see the greatest rivalry in cricket unfold in a full-fledged series once again. Until then, we wait.
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