Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes the series between Pakistan and India should be postponed until the two countries reach a peaceful accord in politics. The political climate between the two countries has been deteriorating after the National Security Adviser level meeting failed to produce substantial results. Akhtar, who was talking during the promotion of Cricket Stars tournament in Dubai on Friday, said the failure of the aforementioned talks was enough to defer the series to a later date. “Everybody knows to keep politics separate from sport,” said Akhtar, as quoted by Gulf News. “But unfortunately there’s a lot of unrest on the borders and it’s not right to play such a Test between the two countries at this time. However, I would encourage that, whenever the unrest settles and whenever India and Pakistan are ready to talk again at the highest level, cricket would be the perfect way to bridge relations.”

He added that people loved to see the two Asian giants take on each other. “They are still two of the best teams in the world and neither can avoid each other if you want to keep cricket interesting. You cannot ignore that the rarest of talent comes out of these countries and that people love to see them play against each other.” Pakistan is supposed to host India in the UAE in December for three Test, five ODIs and two Twenty20s according to the MoU signed between the countries which forces them to play six series over the next eight years. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said he would write a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that they would be waiting till October to receive a final reply over the series.