Although there was a buzz in the media that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was planning to fix a T20 international series between India and Pakistan in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, these speculations seemed to suggest that the city might be a suitable location for this high-profile series. However, during their meeting held in Colombo after the ICC board meeting with PCB, no such proposal was put forward further.
As stated by PTI, PCB has been quick and clear to deny such speculations, stating that the board is only focused on hosting the Champions Trophy in 2025 and bearing with its tight international cricket calendar. Speaking to a source from the board, there was no such proposal on the table or under consideration as of now, because at this moment, the largest concern for Pakistani cricket is to host the Champions Trophy properly, and Pakistan has quite a busy international calendar.
Packed International Schedule Of Pakistan and India
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The PCB’s main focus should be on the successful staging of the Champions Trophy next year, to be played in Pakistan. It is also virtually impossible to look for another window in the touring schedules of both countries to fit in another India vs. Pakistan series considering the tight international calendar of the cricketing nations.
The PCB source confirmed again the assurances of the board to its present obligations and also stated that it would be very difficult to adjust for an extra series in an already packed cricket calendar. On the same note, the Indian cricket team is also preparing to start a new chapter with their newly announced head coach, Gautam Gambhir. The Men in Blue started off their multi-format tour of Sri Lanka on Monday from Mumbai.
The outcome of this tour plays an important role in the coming period for the team, as now they have to start a new journey without the presence of Rahul Dravid as head coach, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma in T20. The West Indies team will begin the series by playing three T20s on the 27th, 28th, and 30th of July consecutively. The teams will then proceed to the T20I series and three ODI series, starting on August 1.
The Megacity of Pallekele and the Galle International Stadium will be home to the T20I games, while the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host the 50-over ODI games.
Gambhir Faces the Challenge of Stepping into Big Shoes
However, before the visit, Gautam Gambhir realized the enormity of the task that lay ahead of him and understood the pressure he was likely to endure after inheriting the legacy from fellow cricketers Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. Gambhir’s strengths include responsiveness and vast playing exposure, which are believed to lead the team in reality. However, he is fully aware of the pressures placed on him, which cover not only the assumption of communicating victories. The newly appointed coach said:
I realize the presumptions and the responsibility that this post comes with—it is an honor to captain this talented team of players, and I am willing to do whatever I can to help the team progress
His readiness to play in the test sums up his confidence and enthusiasm towards the team’s goals. The up-and-coming visit isn’t only about displaying aptitude in amusement, but additionally about enlightening a strong unit to fit the bill to play at the optimum level under Gambhir’s steady command.
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