India will host 81 cricket matches across various formats from '19-23, 30 more than the current Future Tours Programme, but the BCCI "insisted that the number of playing days per year for the ever-busy cricketers will decrease," according to the PTI. The new FTP was agreed in principle by the members at a BCCI special general meeting on Monday. The next FTP cycle at home "will include high-profile series" against England, South Africa and Australia. Another "significant decision" taken at the SGM was to host Afghanistan for the first test match between the two teams. The dates of the historic test "will be chalked out later" (PTI, 12/11). The PTI also reported the Pakistan Cricket Board questioned the BCCI's proposed FTP structure for the '19-'23 cycle, which "does not feature" Indo-Pak bilateral series. The BCCI "maintained its stance that unless the Government of India gives clearance, no bilateral series (home or away) will be possible." PCB "made it clear" to the Int'l Cricket Council that if it gets a favorable verdict in the dispute resolution process that it initiated against the BCCI, it will "object to the current FTP structure" (PTI, 12/11).
