It has happened, it was just announced:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/south/10/22/india.pakistan/index.html
India set to end 14-year wait to play Test cricket with Pakistan
This can only be good news for cricket fans of both countries. This was long overdue and lets hope the tour does go ahead and we can see some real good cricket. Shoaib and Sami against Tendulkar and Dravid. What a prospect?
India set to end 14-year wait to play Test cricket with Pakistan](Yahoo is part of the Yahoo family of brands.)
NEW DELHI (AFP) - India’s cricket team is set to undertake its first Test tour of Pakistan in 14 years early next year after the government offered to restore full sporting ties between the arch-rivals.
India’s Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha Wednesday announced the long-awaited resumption of bilateral cricket matches at a press conference, saying “the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will now be happy.”
India, which last played a Test series in Pakistan in November 1989 is scheduled to take part in three Tests and as many one-day internationals during the month-long tour in March.
“The itinerary of the tour will be finalised in consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board,” a BCCI official told AFP.
The Indian government banned bilateral cricket matches with Pakistan after the 2000 Asia Cup due to political tensions, but allowed the teams to play in multi-nation events like the World Cup.
India played against Pakistan in the preliminary league of the World Cup in South Africa in March, a game that passed off without incident.
While India has not played a Test series in Pakistan for 14 years, Pakistan toured India for three Tests in early 1999 despite threats from Hindu fundamentalists.
The Tests in Madras and New Delhi went off peacefully, but the third at Eden Gardens in Calcutta ended in front of an empty stadium after police were forced to clear the stands following crowd trouble.
The Indian government last month approved a series of cricket matches with Pakistan at the junior level, raising speculation that the resumption of ties at the senior level was around the corner.
An Indian under-19 team will cross the border later this month for a four-nation tournament also featuring Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The Pakistan ‘A’ team will visit India in December.
Sinha said Wednesday the long-standing demand of India’s cricket board “had been fulfilled” by New Delhi’s decision to resume full sporting ties with its estranged neighbour.
His dramatic announcement thrilled cricket fans in India.
“I am very excited because there is nothing better in world cricket than a match between India and Pakistan,” said school-going Venayak Gupta, 14.
The BCCI is expected to react formally to the government’s proposal later on Wednesday.
That's really great news for ordinairy folk and sports fans in general. There will be those with a political or religious axe to grind and they might even turn up in this thread but the vast majority will be looking forward to a great series. It might even get the crowds in for the test matches.
*Let's hope the PCB have enough sense to play the test matches before the ODI's this time *
^^
PCB read the above and take note. Don't make the same mistake twice.
Good news for the cricket :k:
Excellent news for Cricket and Test cricket mainly as more crowds will come to watch india pakistan fighting it out in Gaddafi stadium.
Credit must go to Ramiz Raja, nice to have an intelligent person at the helm paving way for important cricketing decisions. BCCI's efforts should be appreciated too cause this negative attitude from Govt was harming the game.
Although things look prosperous (and I am for it) but I won’t celebrate until Indian team is on Pakistani soil Indian government can make another lame excuse at eleventh hour.
thank god sanity has prevailed. cricket matches with india are worth the price of admission and more...i don't know do you guys think we may have "dodged a bullet" as we avoided playing India regularly when they were at their peak and we at our lowest point in recent memory? they're still a great team but we've gotten much better than last march i'd say.
Trust me, the Indian cricket team will get a good response from the audience, and the series would be a massive hit!!! Btw, how early is it going to be next year? Is it in January? If so, I hope theres a test in Pindi, as I could go see it!!! I might even take a 'motti-haar' for Ganguly!
better late than never. Can't wait.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
That's really great news for ordinairy folk and sports fans in general. There will be those with a political or religious axe to grind and they might even turn up in this thread but the vast majority will be looking forward to a great series. It might even get the crowds in for the test matches.
*Let's hope the PCB have enough sense to play the test matches before the ODI's this time *
^^
PCB read the above and take note. Don't make the same mistake twice.
[/QUOTE]
Great news!
Mr. X, unlike the Proteas, our stadiums will be full when India plays Pakistan in test matches.
Great move by the Indian Govt and have finally come to their senses, if the news is confirmed then I will definitly be going to Pakistan to see all 8 matches.
Asif_K is not posting these days much, i wonder if he is bz convincing Indian government on this +ive decision (or may be other way round) :)
nothing is confirm yet. these are only speculations. indian government can roll-back on its stance at anytime. i for one am not counting on india playing in pakistan. we have like 4-5 months before the series starts and anything can happen in between for indian government to change its decision.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by BabyGulabJaman: *
we have like 4-5 months before the series starts and anything can happen in between for indian government to change its decision.
[/QUOTE]
you sound like Uma Bharti :D
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saby: *
you sound like Uma Bharti :D
[/QUOTE]
and u like Sheikh Rasheed ;)
Bad decision by the Indian Government for two reasons :
(1) This "friends today, foes tomorrow" kind of ambivalent policy towards Pakistan only projects the "soft nation" that India is. If the self-imposed cricket ban was based on principles, then I want to know what has changed recently to warrant a shift in Pak Policy of the Indian Govt.
(2) The Indian Govt. has totally ignored the fact that among all the cricket teams of the world, the Indian team probably faces the maximum threat to their physical security in Pakistan. This fact should not be forgottten amidst this Indians-Pakis bhai-bhai fanfare.
Khuda ka khauf kero yaar 
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Some1: *
Bad decision by the Indian Government for two reasons :
(1) This "friends today, foes tomorrow" kind of ambivalent policy towards Pakistan only projects the "soft nation" that India is. If the self-imposed cricket ban was based on principles, then I want to know what has changed recently to warrant a shift in Pak Policy of the Indian Govt.
(2) The Indian Govt. has totally ignored the fact that among all the cricket teams of the world, the Indian team probably faces the maximum threat to their physical security in Pakistan. This fact should not be forgottten amidst this Indians-Pakis bhai-bhai fanfare.
[/QUOTE]
Since point (1) is completely political , I won't bother touching it.
As for point (2), it is true, but you know something Pakistani players are just as threatened and yet are always ready to go play in India. I think you just have to gut it out. Once you start playing regulerly it won't be such a big deal anymore.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Some1: *
Bad decision by the Indian Government for two reasons :
(1) This "friends today, foes tomorrow" kind of ambivalent policy towards Pakistan only projects the "soft nation" that India is. If the self-imposed cricket ban was based on principles, then I want to know what has changed recently to warrant a shift in Pak Policy of the Indian Govt.
(2) The Indian Govt. has totally ignored the fact that among all the cricket teams of the world, the Indian team probably faces the maximum threat to their physical security in Pakistan. This fact should not be forgottten amidst this Indians-Pakis bhai-bhai fanfare.
[/QUOTE]
Sour Grapes!
So much for your cross border terrorisim revenue theory.
Eat your hearts out bachay.
Well done Indian govt!
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Decent 6Chora: *
Asif_K is not posting these days much, i wonder if he is bz convincing Indian government on this +ive decision (or may be other way round) :)
[/QUOTE]
Arey Bhai - Main Yahin hoon. Little busy at home and work both. I guess Vajpayee read Umair316's posts and couldn't take his 'Coward' talk any more and decided that he has had enough of it. :)
Kudos to Indian govt for continuing the peace process, onus is now on Pakistan to make all the safety arrangements. Once again I stand by Indian Govt's decision.
elahi - When was a Pakistani player attacked in India, I can give you examples of Indian players attacked in Pakistan last time we toured Pak ??