Sarfaraz Ahmed advocates for the revival of India-Pakistan cricketing relations

Dubai: Sarfaraz Ahmed, the last winning captain of a Pakistani team in an ICC event, called for the resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral cricket during the India-Pakistan Champions League Group A encounter in Dubai on Sunday.

“Bilateral series should happen between the two countries,” Sarfaraz, who led the Pakistani team that beat India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, said. “People talk about the rivalry. There is no compromise on the field. They are playing for their country and giving their best. But off the field, I have not seen better friendship between players of two countries than what we see between Indian and Pakistani players. During Inzi bhai, Wasim bhai, Ganguly, Rahul Dravid era, they had great friendships. It was the same between Harbhajan, Yuvi, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi.

“We want the Indian team in Pakistan so that our people can also see Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. They love them a lot. In this tournament, it did not happen, but I hope in future India will come to Pakistan. The tournament is going on well. It is safe,” he said.

Speaking in his capacity as ICC brand ambassador for the tournament which Pakistan is hosting, Sarfaraz hailed the similarities in the culture and mannerisms of the people of the two countries.

“I think there is no difference between us. Our culture is the same. I live in Karachi. Karachi and Mumbai people...their style of speaking is exactly the same. They speak fast there. I also speak fast,” the former wicketkeeper said in jest. “I remember in 2007, I went to Purana Sadar in Delhi. It was just like Sadar in Karachi. So, I think people are the same.”

He said current players are more measured in what they say, with the changing times. “We don’t have the same banter. Things have changed. Now we have social media, so things have changed with times,” Sarfaraz said.

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