Top Pak cricketers want bilateral series with India

Bs_logoImage
Press Trust of India Karachi
Last Updated : May 28 2014 | 11:12 AM IST
Some of Pakistan's top cricketers including Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar have supported the restoration of bilateral cricket ties with India and hoped the issue was discussed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his flying visit to India.
Former Pakistan speedster Akhtar pointed out that cricket had always played a big role in bringing the people of the two countries closer.
"I am happy that our Prime Minister is in India and I hope cricket ties are discussed in these big meetings. Because it is necessary to have bilateral cricket ties between the two countries," Akhtar told PTI.
"It is particularly important for Pakistan as whenever Pakistan and India play against each other these matches bring financial rewards for both boards and the PCB in particular needs a financial boost," he said.
Akhtar said that he would also like to see the issue of Pakistani players in the IPL being resolved soon. "If things continue the way they are I have a feeling by end of this year the Indians will take a decision on allowing our players in the IPL," he stated.
Flamboyant all-rounder Afridi also wants to see more Indo-Pak series' in future. "I hope with our prime minister also going to India the Indian board responds positively and we see bilateral matches soon," he said.
Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan also backed the restoration of bilateral cricket ties.
"Our Prime Minister himself has played cricket and is a keen student and follower of cricket so I am sure this subject would have been discussed by him in these meetings," Younis told reporters in Lahore.
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online

  • Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 28 2014 | 11:12 AM IST