Ex-Indian cricketer urges Imran Khan to restore Indo-Pak Test ties
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Farokh Engineer has urged Pakistan's cricketer-turned-Prime Minister Imran Khan to use his political clout and restore bilateral Test cricket between the arch-rivals. Since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, bilateral cricket ties between the two countries have been frozen amid political tensions, and they only play each other in multinational events such as the World Cup, Asia Cup and Champions Trophy.
Indo-Pak Test cricket will do Pak world of good: Engineer
"Imran Khan is the Prime Minister now. Hopefully, India and Pakistan will start a dialogue," Engineer, a flamboyant player of the 1960s and 70s, said during the inaugural Ranji Memorial Public Conversation in London this week. "They should be playing Test cricket against each other because it will do Pakistan cricket, their economy, a world of good," the 80-year-old added.
Engineer believes Imran has the authority to break the impasse
Engineer further said, "As a cricketer, I would love India to play Pakistan or vice versa. But it is a question of convincing the political leaders." "Basically we are the same people. Both countries have extremely talented cricketers and I, for one, would love to see that happen but unfortunately, the brakes are on," he lamented. Khan became Pakistan's Prime Minister earlier this year.
Most major cricket nations refuse to tour Pakistan
Not just India, most major cricket nations have refused to tour Pakistan on security grounds, since the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, forcing the country to play its 'home' matches in the United Arab Emirates.
