"We eat onions and tomatoes, we exchange pleasantries then why can’t we play cricket?” Shoaib Akhtar on India-Pakistan bilateral ties

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has once again batted for the restoration of bilateral ties between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. India haven’t played a single bilateral series with Pakistan since hosting them for a series of white-ball Internationals in December-January 2012-13.

Ever since the dastardly terror attack in Pulwama in February last year, relationships between the neighboring countries have been at an all-time low. But Akhtar believes that if both countries can play in Davis Cup, Kabaddi then why can’t they play cricket. He also went on to say that if both countries do not want to travel to each others’ countries then they can play at a neutral venue, as they do during an ICC event or Asia Cup.

“We can play Davis Cup, we can play Kabaddi with each other then what’s wrong with cricket? I understand India can’t come to Pakistan, Pakistan can’t go to India but we play Asia Cup, Champions Trophy on neutral venues, can’t we do the same for bilateral series?” Akhtar asked in his YouTube channel.

‘Pakistan is a hospitable nation’- Akhtar

Akhtar went on to say that Pakistan is one of the most hospitable nations in the world, giving examples of how cricketers like Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly are adored in Pakistan. He hopes that India and Pakistan will resume bilateral series as, according to him, it’s important for both countries to have a tough competition between them.

“We are one of the best hospitable nations in the world and India have seen it first hands. Ask the likes of Sehwag, Ganguly and Tendulkar we love them like anything. Cricket should not get affected by the differences between us. Hopefully, India and Pakistan can play a bilateral series soon and it’s important for both countries to have a tough competition between them,” he added.

He added: “Pakistan is a very safe place to travel. India’s Kabaddi team came, they got a lot of love, Bangladesh came to play Test cricket. But if there are still doubts then I suggest neutral venues.” The Rawalpindi express also went on to say that all relationships should be cut-off between India and Pakistan if there is no cricket.

“If you want to cut the ties then stop the trade, stop playing Kabaddi. Why only cricket? Whenever it’s cricket we make it political, it is very disappointing. We eat onions and tomatoes, we exchange pleasantries then why can’t we play cricket?” he added.

India and Pakistan have only faced each other in the Asia Cup and any ICC event. Their last face-off was during the 2019 World Cup at the Old Trafford in Manchester. In that contest, the Men in Blue, led by Virat Kohli, came out trumps in a rain-curtailed game.