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Hyderabad: ICC president Zaheer Abbas on Tuesday said it was the right time to resume bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan as the whole world wants to see the two nations play each other.
“It’s a very difficult question to answer. I mean, whole world wants Pakistan and India to play. I hope time will come and we will start playing the game. Whole world is looking for the Indo-Pak series, no doubt about it. I hope it will start soon because the World Cup has come,” Abbas, a former Pakistan captain, told reporters here.
“It’s not just Pakistan wants to play against India and India also wants to play against Pakistan. If they play, this is the right time to start. As CEO (Dave Richardson) said, everybody is looking forward to Indo-Pak matches,” he said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked Abbas to use his influence to resume the bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan.
Abbas hoped that the BCCI would hold talks with Pakistan to organise the much-awaited series. It has been proposed that a tournament between the two countries can be held at a neutral venue like the UAE.
The ICC president was here at invitation of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) for the prize distribution of the Moin-ud-Doula tournament.
Replying to a query, he said it is for the BCCI to take a call on enhancing the profile of the Moin-ud-Doula tournament in which foreign players too participated in the past.
Appreciating Virat Kohli, he said the India Test captain has been doing well with his aggressive style.
Calling bouncer a “weapon” for fast bowlers, he felt that the protective gear now in place for the cricketers would prevent mishaps on field.
Abbas praised the city of Hyderabad which he said had changed a lot since he came here last several years ago.
The new international airport has enhanced the look of the city, he said.
