Ramiz Raja: No reason why Pakistan and India cannot host matches against one another

The BCCI and PCB are currently engaged in something of a stand-off after BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, said India would not attend the 2023 Asia Cup if it is held in Pakistan

Pakistan Cricket Board chair, Ramiz Raja, has said there is "no reason" why India and Pakistan cannot host matches against one another.

Because of political tensions between the two countries, they haven't met outside of a white-ball tournament since 2013, when Pakistan toured India for a three-match ODI series, while Pakistan also visited the country when India hosted the 2016 T20 World Cup. India's most recent visit to Pakistan came in 2008.

Pakistan are due to host the 2023 Asia Cup and have also been awarded the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, has called for the former to be held at a neutral venue, stating India will not travel to Pakistan.

With India set to host the 2023 Cricket World Cup, as well as the 2026 T20 World Cup (alongside Sri Lanka) and 2031 Cricket World Cup (shared with Bangladesh), Pakistan have said moving the Asia Cup could impact their involvement in future events, creating something of a stand off between the two boards.

^{BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, has said India will not travel to the Asia Cup if it's hosted in Pakistan [Punit Paranjpe/Getty Images]}

However, Raja is keen for both boards to work together, telling Test Match Special: "There is no reason why India couldn't come to Pakistan and Pakistan go to India.

"Both boards need to come to terms with whether we want to play each other or not. Pakistan is willing, but they quote political interference. You can't work when there is political interference.

"Why give [the Asia Cup] to us in the first place and then make all those statements that India will not travel? India cannot come because the government will not allow them because that has been the stated position, but to take the Asia Cup away from us is just not right."

He also called for the ICC and neutral countries, including Australia and England, to help improve the situation by "thinking outside the box".

Raja himself is not short on ideas for how to get the two sides playing regular matches against one another, recently proposing an annual four-team series between England, Australia, India and Pakistan to the ICC. It proved unpopular but he remains determined to "break barriers".

^{Pakistan and India haven't met outside of a major white-ball tournament since 2013 [Quinn Rooney/Getty Images]}

He told The Cricketer earlier this year: "India are the benchmark of good cricket, it's important to beat them because then the world stands up and applauds you.

"This is the ultimate contest: India versus Pakistan. The world stops. It's a great contest because of the political needle; if you take that out it becomes like any other contest. Good there is a bit of politics but that shouldn't stop us playing.

"You ask any broadcaster and they say please have more India-Pakistan matches. If we can't play bilaterally, we need to create scenarios.

"Look at how we're short-changing the fans. You get a glimpse of India-Pakistan at a World Cup event. Why not try and make it an annual event? We've got to be brave, we've got to break barriers."