Test skipper Misbah backs revival of Pak-India cricket
April 12th, 2011 - 7:34 am ICT by ANIIslamabad, Apr. 12 (ANI): Pakistan’s Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has said that cricketing relations with India should normalize because millions of people are missing out on the excitement that such a contest brings out.
Speaking on the sidelines of a government-sponsored reception for the Pakistan cricket team after it had returned from the cricket World Cup in India, where it made it to the semi-final, Misbah said the match played in Mohali two weeks ago had raised hopes of a revival, albeit at neutral venues.
It maybe recalled that India severed cricket links with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people. New Delhi has blamed the attacks on militants based in Pakistan.
The semi-final, won by India, was watched by the prime ministers of both countries.
The Daily Times quoted Misbah, 36, as saying that it was imperative for world cricket that both nations play each other regularly.
“Cricket between Pakistan and India is always different and has the intensity and uniqueness which keep fans glued to their seats. By not having Indo-Pak cricket regularly, we are depriving people of real cricket, the type of matches they want to see,” said Misbah.
He added: “If you ask any player from either side, they miss Indo-Pak cricket because they enjoy it no end.” (ANI)
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Tags: cricket world cup, excitement, haq, india cricket, indo pak cricket, intensity, islamabad, militants, mumbai, neutral venues, New Delhi, pakistan cricket team, prime ministers, relations with india, revival, sidelines, skipper, terror attacks, uniqueness, world cricket