5 reasons why the India-Pakistan cricket series is unable to turn into a reality
The much-awaited India-Pakistan series in December seems to have gone for a toss. The high-octane clash between the neighbours is an event that is not only eagerly anticipated by fans from the two countries but is also a phenomenon in world cricket. The entire world follows a match between the arch rivals and nothing creates more social media buzz than this.In spite of this, why is the series not taking place? Or why does it have to cross so many hurdles before it can actually take place?It does not have to be told that the diplomatic relations between the two countries have never been the best and the current situation is no better either. Along with that, broadcasting rights, administrative issues and constant ideological clashes seem to get in the way of some quality cricket. We wonder when we will see the Blues and the Greens clash, apart from the time when they participate in ICC World Tournaments.Here is a list of five reasons why the much-loved series between India and Pakistan cannot turn into a reality:
#1 Lack of Time
Gone are the days when cricket tournaments were played twice or thrice a year. Modern day cricket is all about being competitive. Also, it has a huge fan base which consumes it on a daily basis, contributing to the ever-increasing bilateral tournaments being played all around the year.
Thus, with such gruelling schedules and with franchise cricket (read Indian Premier League, Carribean Premier League), the cricketers hardly have any time to catch a break. Compromising on the health of the players is not something any cricket board would willingly do.
This can be one of the issues why the Indo-Pak series may have taken a backseat. India are currently playing the Proteas at home, which includes three T20s, five ODIs and four Tests. It is a long 72-days tour that comes to an end on December 7, 2015. India travels to Australia to play a series against them beginning on January 12 that comprises five ODIs and three T20Is.
This leaves a very small window between the two tours when India would be expected to travel to United Arab Emirates (UAE) to play Pakistan. It increases administrative work which has to be organised in a short span and exhausts the Indian players with too many international matches.