Former Australia Pacer Jason Gillespie has opened the possibility of India and Pakistan playing a Test match. The former cricketer said that the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne should host the match and said it would attract a large -scale TV viewership including Australian fans.
Cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan is now limited to the ICC and ACC tournaments, with only one day and T20I competition. Following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the India-Pakistan bilateral chain has been stopped, preventing the sides from playing Test cricket against each other.
India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012 due to political tension
The final bilateral chain between India and Pakistan took place in 2012, when Pakistan visited India for the T20I and ODI series. The two teams faced each other in a red-ball series in 2007, when India hosted Pakistan for three Tests.
Since its independence, India and Pakistan have competed in 59 Tests, with India nine and Pakistan 12, while 38 matches ended in draw.
Political stresses are unlikely to have a test or other bilateral chain in the near future. However, India and Pakistan continue to meet in the ICC and ACC tournaments, including the World Cup and Asia Cups. India-Pakistan matches attract attention even without regular encounters.
This will be a wonderful Test match – Jason Gilespie
Jason Gilespi said that a test match between India and Pakistan would create enthusiasm. He said that both teams will get an opportunity to compete. The former bowler also said that it will attract the number of spectators on a large scale even if it is played in Australia.
“Without a doubt, I think it will be a wonderful Test match. I think both teams will like to play at all – if you keep all politics aside, players only want to play against the best. India vs Pakistan will be a large scale rating winner, even if it is played in Australia, it is sure that it is sure.”
India-Pakistan Odis and T20 matches attract hundreds of millions of spectators. There will also be a lot of attention in a Test match between the two teams and will help to make the five-day format more popular worldwide.
Indian and Pakistan fans will apply – Jason Gilespie
Jason Gilespi said that fans of the two countries would participate with Australian cricket supporters. He hoped that this could happen some day and create an electric atmosphere.
“Both Indian and Pakistan fans will apply – you get a lot of Australian cricket fans and watch that game because it will be a wonderful atmosphere. Maybe, one day it can happen.”
England hosted Pakistan for testing and T20 series against Australia in 2010, as Pakistan was unable to play at home. The Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by terrorists in 2009, hosting international matches in Pakistan’s unsafe.
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