No discussions on reviving India-Pakistan cricket ties during Jaishankar’s Islamabad visit: Sources

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad for the SCO Council meeting saw no discussions on the resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan, according to sources.

India has not played any cricket in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, due to strained relations arising from issues related to terrorism.

The last bilateral series between the two countries was held in India from December 2012 to January 2013. Since then, India and Pakistan have only faced each other in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. However, Pakistan has travelled to India on three occasions since the 2008 Asia Cup.

With Pakistan set to host the ICC Champions Trophy next year, India’s participation in the tournament remains uncertain. Recent reports suggest that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering three options regarding the venue for the Champions Trophy. The tournament could either proceed as planned in Pakistan, adopt a hybrid model where matches involving India and the knockout stage games are held in Dubai, or be relocated entirely outside Pakistan, with Dubai, Sri Lanka, or South Africa as potential hosts.

Pakistan has not hosted a major ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan was originally set to co-host the 2011 edition, but its rights were revoked following a 2009 terrorist attack on a bus carrying the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team.