India to play Pak in Emerging Cup, Bangladesh
India and Pakistan will play each other in an U-23 ODI tournament, the Emerging Cup, to be held in Bangladesh. While the senior teams have not been in action against each other for a long time, the Emerging Cup allows the participation of four national players without any age limit in the U-23 squad. The two sides will meet again in the Champions Trophy.
No Indo-Pak bilateral series since 2012
India suspended all series with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which New Delhi attributed to terrorists from Pakistan. There has not been a proper bilateral series between the two sides since 2007. They played a short series in Dec 2012 which included 3 ODIs and 2 T20 matches in India. They otherwise played each other only in ICC-organized events or Asia Cup.
Proposed bilateral series dropped
While there was a proposal to play a bilateral series in Dec 2015, as per MoU signed between Indian and Pakistan, it was dropped due to political tensions. The last time they played each other was during the ICC-organized T20 World Cup, 2016.
What is the ACC Emerging Cup?
Emerging Cup is organized by Asian Cricket Committee (ACC) for "developing the talents of the most prominent young cricketers of Asia". The inaugural edition of the tournament was held in 2013, in Singapore. India won it by beating Pakistan in the final. Eight teams contest in the Emerging Cup. The 2017 edition will be held in Bangladesh from 15-26 March.
Which other countries will play?
Apart from India and Pakistan, the Emerging Cup will include the hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Nepal. The last four teams will be allowed to play their national teams. Looking at the busy schedule, India may find it difficult to send four national players. It may fall upon the successful U-19 Indian squad to shine in the event.
