India and Pakistan will be involved in a bilateral cricket series for the first time after the Mumbai Terror attack in 2008. Three ODIs and two T20 matches are expected to take place between December 25, 2012 and 7 January, 2013.
AFTER THE 2008
Mumbai terror attack, diplomatic ties between
India and Pakistan came to a stand still, which also witnessed India's cricket ties with Pakistan on the slide. But, after four years or so, they are going to play a competitive series in India, a proposal, which had been initially put forward by Pakistan. The series was only waiting for the green signal from the Indian government, which came yesterday thus opening the gates for one of the biggest rivalry in
world cricket. Government officials met BCCI representatives before showing the green flag.
Both the nations were keen to resume their cricketing ties, which got further encouragement when India played Pakistan in the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup, 2011 in Mohali, which was witnessed by the Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and Pakistan's the then Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. This was one of those signs, which suggested that things were moving ahead for the betterment of cricket.
Pakistan is expected to play their first match against their neighbours, India on Christmas day, 25th December, 2012 and the tour is set to end on January 7, 2013. Three ODIs along with two T20 matches have been scheduled for the tour, with the ODIs to be played in Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi and the shorter format, T20 to be played in Bangalore and Ahemadabad, reported Indian Express. But the exact dates with the location has not been finalised, which is expected to happen soon.
It is due to the tight schedule that the Indian team is facing in the coming months there was no possible window for a Test series, so one just have to be satisfied with the two nations competing in coloured clothing. Something is better than nothing. One hopes that it is another beginning to a great rivalry. It is not only Indian and Pakistan fans that love this rivalry, but people from the world over love the contest between the two teams. It is more than just a mere cricket game.
