Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said he is in favour of resuming bilateral cricket ties with India which he believes will help improve relations between the two nations.
The Pakistan fast bowling great on Saturday said that regardless of the political situation between the two countries it is necessary to have normal sporting ties.
Asked about the recent statement by former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who had said that India should not play cricket with Pakistan until the situation improves between the two countries, Akram replied: "I believe that sports and politics should be kept apart and no matter what happens on the political front between India and Pakistan, cricket should be played."
Akram pointed out that when he captained Pakistan during their tour of India in 1999 the relations between the two countries were very tense even then.
"It was a tour where there was a lot of security around us and we mostly stayed inside the hotels. But we still continued playing cricket and it was a successful tour. I believe that bilateral Indo-Pak cricket ties must not stop," he stated.
Akram said he is a regular visitor to India and his observation is that people wants to see both nations play cricket against each other. "The cricket ties will eventually help in the bigger picture."
The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar Khan told a television channel that as far as Pakistan was concerned the planned series with India in December is still on.
"The series is still on and we are even willing to play the series in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). I think a clear picture and decision will come in two months time regarding whether the series will be held in December," Khan added.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given a cold response to play the series in December after the terrorist attack in Gurdaspur and fresh tensions on the Line of Control.
Khan admitted that the PCB doesn't have much time in hand to plan for the series and is hoping for a reply from the BCCI soon.
"We can't wait any longer than two months and we expect a final decision from the Indians in this time," the PCB chief said.
