Pakistan should be the venue to resume Indo-Pak cricket: Zaheer Abbas

by Subhasish Dutta

One of the few things that runs in the veins of India and Pakistan and unites the two South Asian neighbours, who have fought three wars, is the game of cricket. Apart from peace and brotherhood, people in both the countries look forward to see their players battle on the cricket pitch.

However, despite the longing and passion, cricket has borne the brunt of the diplomatic fallout between the two nations time and again. India and Pakistan have not played a full-fledged bilateral series since 2007 when Pakistan toured India for three Tests and five one-day internationals.

Though in 2012-2013, Pakistan came to India for a three-match ODI series, frequent cross-border tension and skirmishes since then have seen the cricketing ties being snapped. However, recent developments on the diplomatic front have given hopes to the hungry fans.

The man on a mission, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shahryar Khan, on Sunday said after a meeting with his counterpart and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya that Pakistan are ready to host India for a series in the UAE in December.

The series, which will involve three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s, is part of the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed between the two boards in 2014 and Shahryar is keen to abide by it. Reports in the Indian media on Tuesday suggested that the Government of India has approved resumption of cricket ties with Pakistan.

However, a formal decision on this is yet to come.

Cricketnext.com caught up with Pakistan's former captain Zaheer Abbas on a short whirlwind chat. Abbas, also known as the Asian Bradman, reacted with optimism and said it is a step towards right direction.

"Good sign for Pakistan cricket and world cricket too as both the countries are likely to resume bilateral ties. And my opinion is why not? It's one of the biggest rivalries in cricket and surely it is a good sign for both the countries," he said over the phone following a session of golf.

Commending both the countries for their efforts, Abbas said Pakistan have made their move and the ball is now in India's court.

"The initiative has been taken by both the countries and the governments are trying hard to resume ties. As it is more of a political decision rather than sporting decision, it was due to take time. Right now the ball is in India's court and the Indian government has to decide on the proposal."

In recent years, Pakistan and India have contested in other sports, but they have failed to break the impasse in cricket. And Abbas too wondered why cricket has been kept waiting.

"Both the countries have played football, hockey and why is it that only cricket is suffering? Cricketing ties have to resume," he said.

Pakistan have been barred from the international cricket map since the unfortunate terror attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009 in which six policemen and two civilians were killed and six members of the Sri Lanka team were injured. No team has toured to Pakistan ever since, forcing them to play their home matches at the neutral venues of UAE.

Abbas was quick to point that out, saying that it is Pakistan and not Dubai where cricket needs to be resumed.

"For me it (India's tour) has to be in Pakistan not Dubai. UAE is not our country, it is a neutral venue. And people in Pakistan want to see their heroes play in their country.

Think of Pakistani youngsters and middle class, they can't travel to Dubai everytime to watch cricket. "Pakistan people are devoid of good cricket and it has to be in Pakistan for the people of this country, especially for the youngsters.

There will be no motivation for them if they don't see top teams playing in their own country," he mourned.

Abbas, who entertained world cricket with his grace and elegance, says Pakistan cricket is experiencing a rough patch and it is important for them to play at home in order to improve.

"Cricket in Pakistan has suffered a lot because of the international embargo. No team will improve if they don't play at home. Look at Bangladesh. They have improved by a lot of distance. Right now, Pakistan team is going through a rough phase and their cricket has gone down. But I hope that they will bring their game up when they play India."

May is an important month for Pakistan cricket. Come 22nd, Zimbabwe will set foot in Pakistan to play three ODIs and two T20s, keeping aside all the security concerns and becoming the first Test-playing nation to tour the country since the Lahore terror attacks.The magnitude of the tour can't be understated.

"A lot of things will depend on Zimbabwe's tour of Pakistan this month.

It is an opportunity for Pakistan to show that our country is safe for cricket. Pakistan will have to prove to the whole world that it is safe for teams to travel here and play cricket. So, this tour will surely prove a point. The whole country is together for peace and I think the things will definitely change in the coming years," he said.

One man who has been on the forefront in getting the Indo-Pak ties back on track and should be worthy of all praise is Shahryar Khan. Abbas too lauded the former diplomat for his efforts.

"Shahryar Khan is a former diplomat. He knows a lot of people there (in India) which has definitely been a good thing for the resumption of ties.

As the chairman of the board, Shahryar Khan has been working really hard to make this thing a reality. As of now we still don't know whether it will turn into a reality or not. But Shahryar Khan has done a commendable job on his part,"

Abbas concluded. - cricketnext.com