Bowling legend Wasim Akram is waiting for the resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, and says that the latter should not mind playing the proposed series in India if the government gives the go ahead.
According to sources, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given his nod to Pakistan to play a bilateral series against India in Sri Lanka.
The two sub-continental neighbours are expected to play at a neutral venue with Sri Lanka emerging as the venue for the ODIs and T20s.
"It does not matter what the venue is and Pakistan can play in India if our government gives clearance. The main thing is that Indo-Pak cricket series should be resumed," Akram said.
The former Pakistan captain said it was important to move forward in Indo-Pak cricket relations as nearly 10 crore people in both countries follow the contest between the arch-rivals.
"It is important for both countries to play against each other in the larger interest of the game. And there is no doubt that if a series takes place soon it will strengthen the Pakistan Cricket Board financially," Akram told Geo News channel.
The PCB said in a statement, on Wednesday, that there had been lot of speculation in the media over the status of the series, especially after meeting in Dubai was held between the bosses of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, in the presence of the President of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Giles Clarke.
"PCB has informed the government of the talks in Dubai that were regarded as fruitful. The PCB has not asked for an NOC from the government, for it is the government’s prerogative to decide on the issue," the statement said.
It also said that the BCCI is similarly also seeking its government’s views on these matters and that no request has been received from BCCI regarding the sharing of revenues. The statement said any briefing on any developments will be done by Clarke.
Akram's push for having the series even in India comes at a time when the PCB reacted strongly to the national T20 skipper Shahid Afridi saying in the media that Pakistan could go and play in India if the PCB got good money for the series.
The PCB had sought an explanation from Afridi for his comments on policy matters and cautioned him to be careful in future.
But in Dubai on Wednesday Afridi again fully endorsed any resumption of cricket ties with India, saying wherever and whenever a series is played the show must go on, irrespective of politics.
Many other former Pakistan greats including Javed Miandad have opposed Pakistan touring India for the series.
Image: Wasim Akram at a Kolkata Knight Riders' nets session
Photograph: BCCI
