Pakistan cricket chief Zakar Ashraf said Friday he hoped to visit India next month to further efforts to revive bilateral ties stalled since terrorist attacks on Mumbai three years ago. "I have high hopes of reviving ties with India," Ashraf told AFP on the sidelines of the third day-night match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka here on Friday. "I have received a positive reply from India today and hope to tour next month."
Ashraf expressed hope he would meet with Narayan Srinivasan, his counterpart in India's Board of Control for Cricket in India. "I have high hopes of a positive meeting and when we can have sporting events like kabbadi and blind cricket with India, why not top level cricket which is already regarded as the most sought after series in the game," said Ashraf, who took over last month.
Ashraf said the International Cricket Council (ICC) has already termed India-Pakistan 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.
"When there is a will, there is a way and we hope the bilateral ties to resume sooner than later," said Ashraf. Indian ambassador to United Arab Emirates (UAE) Kapanaiah Lokesh, who met Ashraf here Friday, said he will convey the sentiments of people in UAE to New Delhi.
"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. "Cricket is in the blood of people in both the countries and it can be used as soft diplomacy as in the past and relationship has improved in the past as well through cricket," said the Indian ambassador.
Pakistan's ambassador to UAE Jameel Khan welcomed the prospect of bi-lateral series revival. "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." Pakistan last toured India in 2007.