India and Pakistan could play a bilateral series later this year in Dubai if the Indian government gives the green light to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s proposal. The BCCI has written to the Home Ministry, asking for permission to play its scheduled series against Pakistan as per the Future Tours & Programme agreement, which was signed in 2014, said a report in The Indian Express.
The FTP calendar had the series scheduled the second half of 2017, before India’s proposed tour to South Africa. The BCCI is now reportedly looking at a September or November window for the series, the report said.
“There is the FTP agreement that needs to be fulfilled and that’s why the board is willing to travel to Dubai to play a series against Pakistan,” the report quoted an unnamed source as saying. “Unless the government gives its nod, the BCCI cannot do anything.”
Earlier, the BCCI wanted to host Pakistan for a series in 2016, but had to drop the plan as the government did not give the clearance because of the ongoing political tension between the two countries following terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
India and Pakistan have not played a Test series against each other since 2007. India had hosted Pakistan for a short limited-overs series in 2012-’13. Since then, the two teams have only clashed in International Cricket Council tournaments and the Asia Cup.
The Indian board’s former chief Anurag Thakur, who is an MP belonging to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, had also put an end to speculation of a series between the neighbours, saying, “In the context of what has happened, even considering such a thought is not appropriate.” However in the wake of the new administration of the BCCI, with the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators taking charge, the status of bilateral ties might change.