UAE set for revival of India-Pakistan Test series

Pakistan have signed a "memorandum of understanding" with India to play up to 14 Tests, 30 one-day and 12 Twenty20 internationals between 2015 and 2023, ESPN Cricinfo has reported.

Four of the six series would be hosted by Pakistan, who currently play their 'home' series in the United Arab Emirates, the website reported, citing a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official.

The neighbours have not played a Test series since before the deadly 2008 attacks on Mumbai, which the Indian government blamed on militants from Pakistan.

The report said the agreement was the result of Pakistan's conditional support for the reorganisation of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which would give India more influence over the sport's global governing body.

“The Future Tours Program (FTP) for Pakistan between 2015 and 2023 will have six tours with India, four of which will be hosted by Pakistan,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed told AFP.

Reports had been circulating since last month that a full series would be played between the two nations as early as next year after the PCB conditionally agreed to a reorganisation of the game's administration, the International Cricket Council (ICC), which will give India a bigger say in its governance.

India suspended all bilateral series with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 attacks, which New Delhi blamed on militants based across the border.

The Pakistan team did tour India for a short limited over series in December 2012-January 2013 but a full series was not agreed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Ahmad said the six tours would involve “14 Tests, 30 one-days and 12 T20s”.

The PCB expected the tours to be written into legally binding agreements “as soon as possible,” he added.

The PCB wanted the first of the series to be played on home ground but if the security situation was not conducive to it the match will be played in the UAE.

Pakistan have not hosted any international cricket since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009.

If the series goes ahead it will mark the biggest success for Pakistan in recent years after a prolonged isolation at the international level due to security fears.

Pakistan last played a full series in India in 2007 while India last toured Pakistan in 2006.

The cricket matches between Pakistan and India are widely seen as the most sought after in cricket globally, with billions watching them on television around the world.

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