Inquiries made over possibility of India-Pakistan Tests at MCG

India and Pakistan have not played Test cricket against each other since 2007, but after a recent proposal by the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), which manages the MCG and the Victorian government have made inquiries over the possibilities of the two arch-rivals playing a Test match in Melbourne.

This comes after the success of the T20 World Cup 2022 clash between the two sides that saw over 90,000 people in attendance for the nail-biting encounter. India-Pakistan have played each other only in global events such as Asia Cup and the World Cup since 2013, when the two teams clashed in a bilateral series.

"Absolutely. Three [Tests] in a row would be lovely at the MCG. You'd fill it every time. We have asked," MCC chief Stuart Fox said on SEN Radio, during the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa. 

"We've taken that up with Cricket Australia. I know the [Victoria] government has as well. Again, it's enormously complicated from what I can understand, amongst a really busy schedule. So I think that's probably the greater challenge.

"Wouldn't it be great that it wasn't just Australia-centric and Victoria-centric, that we're catering for all the countries and filling the stadium all the time. So we have asked.

"Hopefully, Cricket Australia keep taking it up with the ICC and keep pushing for it. When you do see some of the stadiums around the world unoccupied, I think it would be much better to have a full house and that atmosphere and celebrating the game with full houses."

While there is no bilateral series in the pipeline between the two nations in the 2023-27 FTP, Fox understands it would be complicated to squeeze in such a series amidst a tight schedule.

Commenting on this a CA spokesperson confirmed to ESPNCricinfo that the decision to play a bilateral series in Australia will completely depend on the two boards. The PCB and the BCCI have been at loggerheads recently over the two teams travelling to their respective nations for the Asia Cup and the World Cup in 2023.

"I've never seen anything like it at the MCG, that India-Pakistan game was something else," Fox said. 

"The atmosphere, I've never felt it like that. The noise after every ball was just phenomenal and the families and children and everyone enjoying it.

"I think if we can be more inclusive and make sure that we cater for all cultures, we've got to tap into that Pakistan community next year. We want them here and that would be fantastic to have a full house day one."