Recently in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs and won their first ever Champions Trophy title. To honour the winning team, an event was organised in Islamabad. In the event, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan gave an open challenge to India. Khan, taking a dig at Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said, “After our win, we challenge India to come and play bilateral cricket with us. They don’t play us, they are scared of our team. They say we’ll play you in ICC matches but they won’t play us otherwise.”
India played its last bilateral series with Pakistan in 2007. Last bilateral series was when Pakistan visited India for a full Test series. According to PCB, India owes it two home series and also has sent a legal notice to BCCI claiming damages to the tune of USD 60 million (Rs 387 crore approx) for allegedly not honouring the MoU that had stated five bilateral series in the cycle between 2015-2023.
Also at the ceremony, Sarfaraz Ahmed was announced as the Test captain of Pakistan cricket team by Shaharyar Khan. He said, “I take this opportunity to announce Ahmed as our Test captain in addition to one-day and Twenty20 captain.”
Sarfaraz will now lead the team in the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka which is likely to be held in the United Arab Emirates in October. Every member of the Champions Trophy winning team was awarded with a prize of 10 million Pakistani rupees ($100,000) while members of the team management received five million ($50,000).