Indian ambassador to United Arab Emirates (UAE) Kapanaiah Lokesh, who met PCB chief Zaka Ashraf here Friday, said he will convey the sentiments of people in UAE to New Delhi for a bilateral series between Pakistan and India.
“India playing Pakistan is the highlight of international cricket and in the recent positive atmosphere between the two countries it is conducive to play cricket and I will convey this to New Delhi,” said Lokesh.
PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf said the International Cricket Council (ICC) has already termed Indo-Pak matches as an “iconic series” and everyone is waiting for both the nations to play.
As per the ICC Future Tours Programme, Pakistan and India are slated to play in March next year but India’s hectic schedule is a big hurdle in the series. But Ashraf hoped a slot will be found.
“Cricket is in the blood of people in both countries and it can be used as soft diplomacy as in the past, relations have improved in the past as well through cricket,” said the Indian ambassador.
Pakistan’s ambassador to UAE Jameel Khan welcomed the prospect of a bilateral series being revived.
“People from both India and Pakistan want to see both the teams play and if the venue is UAE we are more than keen to host the matches,” said Khan. “It is the most followed series in the world and people should not be deprived of it.”
