'Playing cricket with India should not be linked to politics'

Pakistan's Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq has stressed on the need for Pakistan and India to revive their bilateral cricket ties this year and said it should not depend on the political relations between the two neighbouring nations.

Want to perform under pressure? Play India, says Inzamam

Insisting that the ups and downs of political and diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries will continue as always, Misbah said cricket ties should not be linked to these factors.

"I believe that Pakistan and India should be playing against each other in bilateral series regularly and playing cricket should not be linked to the overall political relations between the two nations," he said.

The senior batsman noted that cricket could and had played an influential role on improving ties and people of both countries also wanted to see cricket matches being played regularly.

"I am all for Pakistan and India resuming bilateral ties this year and it is good for the sport in both countries and players," he added.

Misbah said in an interview that he wanted to end his career with a series against old rivals India and hoped it happened this year in December.

Under a MOU signed between the two cricket boards, Pakistan is due to host India for a Test series in December in the United Arab Emirates but so far the Indian board has not responded positively to the series leaving the Pakistan board officials also in a quandary.

Pakistan's former captain and most capped player, Inzamam-ul-Haq also this week called for regular cricket ties with India.

The former Test captain said he would love to see Pakistan and India launch a new cricket chapter by playing in December this year.

"Regardless of where we play we should play India on regular basis," he added.