After the massive success of the clash between India and Pakistan in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23, former Australia all-rounder Simon O’Donnell has said that talks are likely underway for a Test match between the arch-rivals Down Under.
Notably, more than 90,000 spectators witnessed India’s thrilling last-ball T20 World Cup Super-12 win against Pakistan at the historic MCG, while millions across the world watched the match on television, resulting in a revenue windfall for Cricket Australia (CA).
Due to political tensions between the two nations, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series from a long time.
“That (their T20 World Cup clash) was extraordinary,” O’Donnell, who has played six Tests and 87 ODIs primarily as a right-arm pace bowler, said on SEN Breakfast on Monday.
“That game itself is the one that’s held the tournament up so far, people keep referring back to it. There was 90,000 at a neutral venue, there was extraordinary emotion, the scenes of the game, the tightness of the game, the pressure. It was magnificent sort of stuff, to the level that I can say there will be discussions being had, or there are discussions being had to play a Test match here,” he added.
“There’s also the possibility of a triangular One-Day series between India, Pakistan and Australia or a Test match between India and Pakistan. My word there are (conversations happening), in the wake of this (T20 World Cup clash). There are already discussions taking place,” he further said.
The former Aussie acricketer also opined the cricket’s governing bodies should not fritter away the gains from the T20 World Cup clash between the two countries and cash in on the success.
“You can’t let that just dissipate and fade. You need to envelop and embrace it, I can tell you discussions are underway,” he said.
Significantly, India and Pakistan last played a Test series in 2007 with India winning the three-game series 1-0 on home soil.