Imran bats for resumption of Indo-Pak cricketing ties

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan on Monday said that Indo-Pak bilateral cricket series should take place as per schedule next month despite the prevailing political and diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

"Bilateral cricket ties will benefit both countries. Because playing against each other helps groom the players to handle the pressure situations well," Khan said in Karachi.

"It is especially important for the younger generation of players in both countries to get a chance to play against each other regularly it will help them in their development," he added.

Khan, who captained Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup victory, said political tensions should not be brought into cricket.

"Both countries need to keep sports away from politics. An India and Pakistan match is always a big spectacle even in world cricket," said the cricketer-turned-politician.

Pakistan Cricket Board has got the permission from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to play a series in December in Sri Lanka but the Board of Control for Cricket in India is awaiting clearance from the Indian government.

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla had last week claimed that Sri Lanka has been decided as the neutral venue for the much-anticipated series between India and Pakistan next month.

Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India had proposed Pakistan to play the limited-overs series in India in December, which included five ODIs and two T20s.

But PCB chief Shahryar Khan had refused the proposal, saying he would not compromise on players' safety.

India has not played a full bilateral Test series with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed between the PCB and BCCI, both countries are scheduled to play six series between 2015 and 2023 after a clearance from the Indian Government.

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