India-pak Test freeze unlikely to come to an end

NINE TEAMS WILL PLAY SIX SERIES OVER THE NEW TWOYEAR TEST LEAGUE CYCLE – THREE EACH HOME AND AWAY.

MUMBAI: If one assumes the new league structure for Test and oneday cricket agreed at the ICC Board meeting on Friday will finally lead to the resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan, it is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

For BCCI officials Amitabh Choudhary, acting secretary, and Rahul Johri, the CEO, it was the biggest concern when they went for the ICC meeting in Auckland. “We didn’t want to be docked points for not playing Pakistan, like the women’s team last season. Chaudhary and Johri had been asked to discuss at the meeting how it can be resolved,” a BCCI insider said. two to five Tests.

But what happens if India and Pakistan finish on top of the league table? The top two contest a play-off final to decide the Test champions at Lord’s in June , 2021. “India and Pakistan anyway play in ICC tournaments. The same arrangement will apply,” explained a source.

The one-day league will lead to direct qualification for the 2023 World Cup. Like in the Test league, the ICC has sorted the situation though each team is required to play all others or be docked points. India as hosts of 2023 World Cup will earn an automatic berth.

It remains to be seen whether Amitabh Choudhary and Rahul Johri can convince Board members on the ICC decision as they don’t have the mandate to decide on their own. “BCCI had passed a resolution in April stating any FTP will not be binding till it is approved by the GB. This will have to be discussed in the GB. Right now, it has no relevance for us,” a senior Board official said. The COA have backed the ICC move. “It’s a policy matter which will have a long-term affect. The COA is there only to supervise the day-to-day affairs.”