The hopes of millions of cricket fans for a blockbuster IND vs PAK bilateral series have been firmly dashed, at least for the foreseeable future. In a definitive statement, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajeev Shukla has made the board’s position crystal clear.
Speaking on January 24, 2026, Shukla stated that the BCCI will strictly adhere to the directives of the Indian government on the matter of sporting ties with Pakistan. He bluntly declared, “I don’t think it’s possible to have bilateral tours in the current situation,” effectively confirming that a full tour between the two nations is off the table .
This isn’t just a cricketing decision; it’s a political one. The BCCI’s stance is a direct reflection of the strained diplomatic relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. For the BCCI, cricket diplomacy is contingent on state diplomacy, and right now, that bridge is closed.
The core issue is simple: the BCCI has tied its hands to government policy. This means that any discussion about a bilateral series is futile until there’s a significant thaw in political tensions. The board has essentially outsourced its decision-making on this specific issue to New Delhi.
This policy has led to the well-established “third soil policy,” where India and Pakistan only face off in ICC tournaments or multi-nation events held in neutral countries like the UAE, England, or Australia. This arrangement allows the high-stakes rivalry to continue on the global stage while avoiding the complex logistical and security nightmares of hosting each other.
For fans, this means we’ll still get to see the electric clash in World Cups and Champions Trophy events, but the magic of a multi-format tour—featuring Tests, ODIs, and T20Is across various Indian or Pakistani cities—is a relic of the past, for now.
To understand the weight of this decision, it’s crucial to look back. The last time Pakistan toured India for a full bilateral series was way back in the 2012-13 season . That series featured three ODIs and two T20Is, with Pakistan famously winning the ODI series 2-1 .
Before that, the last comprehensive tour involving Test matches was even earlier, in 2007 . The golden era of frequent bilateral contests, which included historic series in the 1980s and 2004, came to a grinding halt after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Since then, cricketing ties have been sporadic and almost entirely confined to neutral venues.
The primary catalyst for the current hardline stance is the recent geopolitical flashpoint: Operation Sindoor. This military conflict, which began in May 2025, was a direct response by India to a devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, carried out by a Pakistan-based militant group [[22], [24]].
The heightened tensions and security risks following this event have made any form of cross-border engagement, including sports, politically untenable for the Indian government. The memory of the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore looms large in these security assessments . That incident, where 12 gunmen ambushed the team convoy just outside Gaddafi Stadium, fundamentally changed the landscape of international cricket in Pakistan and serves as a constant reminder of the potential dangers .
Given this context, the BCCI’s caution is not just bureaucratic—it’s a necessary measure prioritizing the safety of its players and officials above all else.
While a bilateral series is a non-starter, the rivalry itself is far from dead. Fans can still look forward to seeing their heroes clash in major ICC events. The next scheduled meeting is likely to be in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy or the 2027 ODI World Cup.
However, the path back to a true bilateral series is long and uncertain. It would require not just a de-escalation of tensions but a sustained period of diplomatic goodwill and verifiable actions on counter-terrorism from Pakistan. Until then, the BCCI’s ultimate condition—the green light from the Indian government—will remain unmet.
For now, the only place to witness the magic of IND vs PAK will be on neutral soil, under the bright lights of a global tournament.
The dream of an IND vs PAK bilateral series remains just that—a dream. The BCCI’s unwavering commitment to following government guidance, coupled with the severe security concerns stemming from recent events like Operation Sindoor and the historical precedent of the 2009 Lahore attack, has created an insurmountable barrier. While the world will still see this iconic rivalry play out in ICC events, the days of home-and-away tours between these two giants appear to be a thing of the past, at least in our current geopolitical reality.
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