The Pakistan Football Federation has been successful in finalizing a two match bilateral series with India that will be held in August after a long gap of nine years. This is a positive development with respect to the ties between India and Pakistan. The Pakistan team will visit India from August 16 to 21 and play two matches; one on 17th August and the other on 20th August. Col Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi of PFF stated that this series was a return series after the three match series held in June 2005. This series was won by Pakistan on a goal average.
An English company earlier tried to arrange a series in 2011 between India and Pakistan in England. But the plan could not be materialized due to lack of sponsors. The lack of sponsors also jeopardized the plan of arranging a triangular series between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2013. Lodhi pointed out that India’s interest in developing the sport was evident in its desire to arrange these matches. He said that this series will hold the same excitement as that in the ashes series.
PFF has also arranged a series against Bahrain from 22nd August to 30th August that will hopefully give exposure to the Pakistani football players. Pakistan will also host the SAARC Women Football Championship. PFF is still operating with 100 year old equipment and requires new equipment to keep up with the modern standards of the game.