Babar Azam-led Pakistan punched above their weight by capping off a memorable campaign in the 2021 edition of the ICC World T20. Pakistan managed to break the India jinx in World Cup matches before outclassing Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the Super 12 phase. Azam-led Pakistan also made it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for the first time in nine years. After an eventful 2021 season in the shortest, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has reportedly shifted his focus to resuming the iconic Indo-Pak rivalry in 2022.
As per the latest developments, PCB president Raja is set to propose an annual quadrangular series which will include former world champions England, Australia, India and Pakistan. With an aim to revive Indo-Pak rivalry in the white-ball format, PCB chief Raja will reportedly propose the quadrangular series between the traditional Asian rivals and Ashes arch-rivals in the next International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting.
According to a report filed by Express Tribune and Code Sports Australia, the idea of playing the four-nation T20I tournament has been put forward by the former Pakistani skipper and current chairperson of the apex cricket board in Pakistan. Pakistan and India have only locked horns against each other in ICC (International Cricket Council) and ACC (Asian Cricket Council) tournaments since 2013.
The Asian arch-rivals only play against each other in marquee tournaments due to political tensions and frosty diplomatic relations. The Pakistani side ended their losing streak against India in their previous meeting at the T20 World Cup. Azam-led Pakistan defeated India by 10 wickets to register the historic win over the Virat Kohli-led Team India at the Dubai International Stadium. Pakistan played a white-ball series with visitors West Indies after the T20 World Cup in 2021. The Asian giants will host Australia for three Tests, three One-day Internationals and one T20 international starting in March.