In a bid to create a buzz among the fans, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to schedule a warm-up match between India and Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup next year in Australia.
The entire fixture of the mega event is yet to be finalised but cricket’s governing body is keen on having the marquee clash before the tournament opener on October 18.
As per a report published in the Times of India, ICC is flirting with the idea of staging a warm-up game but is yet to get in touch with the BCCI. However, as things stand it seems unlikely that the Indian board will entertain such ideas.
"Wonder who comes up with these brilliant ideas there? First, they went and brought out the schedule of the 2020 World T20 almost two years in advance. And now, they want a warm-up game to create excitement," a source told the leading daily.
India and Pakistan have not faced each other in a full bilateral series since 2007 and considering the current hostility in diplomatic ties, the bilateral series seems a distant dream right now.
In the last decade, the high-voltage contests between both the nations have been restricted to ICC tournaments only.
They have competed thrice in the 50-over World Cup (2011, 2015 and 2019) four times in the Champions Trophy (2009, 2013, twice in 2017) five times in the T20 World Cup (twice in 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016).
The T20 World Cup of 2020 will be the first ICC event since 2012 when India and Pakistan are not being placed in the same group. Perhaps, that’s why ICC is keen on staging a warm-up encounter.
