New Delhi: India captain Rohit Sharma says he would not mind playing a Test against Pakistan at a neutral venue as it would be a "great encounter" against the arch-rivals' "fantastic bowling line-up".
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in which more than 150 people were killed. However, the two countries regularly face each other in ICC events.
Their most recent clash took place during the ODI World Cup in India last year.
"I am confident that they are a good team, great bowling line-up, if we play overseas there is good competition," Rohit said on a YouTube show 'Club Prairie Fire'.The last Test was played in 2007–08." by former Australia keeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist and former England captain Michael Vaughan.
"Yes, I would love (to play against Pakistan), it will be a great match between the two sides. We play them in the ICC Trophy, in pure cricket I am looking forward to a great match, so why not?" When he was asked whether an India-Pakistan Test is possible at a neutral venue like England or Australia, he said this.
Led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's traditionally pace-reliant bowling line-up currently features exciting talents like Naseem Shah, who is only 21, and Aamir Jamal.The BCCI has said that any decision on bilateral cricket with Pakistan will depend on the approval of the government, which has so far not given permission to play cricket with the arch-enemies.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has been aggressively pushing for bilateral ties with India, even raising it at ICC forums at every available opportunity.
Last year, India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which was eventually held in a hybrid model. All India's scheduled games in Pakistan were shifted to Sri Lanka.
Next year's Champions Trophy will be another bone of contention between the two countries as the tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan, which has announced that it will not agree to any change in the venue to accommodate India.The ICC, on its part, has said that it will not force any member country to disregard government advice.
An ICC official recently said, "...the stance of the ICC Board is that it does not expect its members to go against any policy/directive issued by their own government."
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in which more than 150 people were killed. However, the two countries regularly face each other in ICC events.
Their most recent clash took place during the ODI World Cup in India last year.
"I am confident that they are a good team, great bowling line-up, if we play overseas there is good competition," Rohit said on a YouTube show 'Club Prairie Fire'.The last Test was played in 2007–08." by former Australia keeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist and former England captain Michael Vaughan.
"Yes, I would love (to play against Pakistan), it will be a great match between the two sides. We play them in the ICC Trophy, in pure cricket I am looking forward to a great match, so why not?" When he was asked whether an India-Pakistan Test is possible at a neutral venue like England or Australia, he said this.
Led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's traditionally pace-reliant bowling line-up currently features exciting talents like Naseem Shah, who is only 21, and Aamir Jamal.The BCCI has said that any decision on bilateral cricket with Pakistan will depend on the approval of the government, which has so far not given permission to play cricket with the arch-enemies.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has been aggressively pushing for bilateral ties with India, even raising it at ICC forums at every available opportunity.
Last year, India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which was eventually held in a hybrid model. All India's scheduled games in Pakistan were shifted to Sri Lanka.
Next year's Champions Trophy will be another bone of contention between the two countries as the tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan, which has announced that it will not agree to any change in the venue to accommodate India.The ICC, on its part, has said that it will not force any member country to disregard government advice.
An ICC official recently said, "...the stance of the ICC Board is that it does not expect its members to go against any policy/directive issued by their own government."
