“I hope with our prime minister also going to India, the Indian board responds positively and we see bilateral matches soon”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Some of Pakistan’s top cricketers are hoping that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif discussed resuming bilateral cricketing ties when he flew to India to congratulate newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his victory.

Former Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar stated that strong cricketing ties have always brought the two countries closer in the past.

“I am happy that our Prime Minister is in India and I hope cricket ties are discussed in these big meetings,” Akhtar told PTI. “Because it is necessary to have bilateral cricket ties between the two countries.

“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.”

Akhatar also wants to see Pakistan players playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the near future.

“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 said.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi wants to see more India-Pakistan series in the future as it is one of the most loved and watched spectacles in the sport.

“I hope with our Prime Minister also going to India, the Indian board responds positively and we see bilateral matches soon,” Afridi said.

Meanwhile, veteran batsman Younis Khan agreed with Afridi’s views, and added: “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.”