LONDON, July 8: Former Pakistani captain Imran Khan has urged world cricket’s governing body to push ahead with plans to ask Nelson Mandela to mediate between India and Pakistan.

The military action in the disputed territory of Kashmir has seen the Indian government refuse to allow its side to play their neighbours in the last two years.

“For the revival of cricket between Pakistan and India, the core issue of Kashmir needs to be addressed,” the former Pakistan captain told BBC Sport Online. “And Nelson Mandela should be used as a mediator.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) last week suggested it was still considering approaching the former South African president to help restore ties between the two nations.

Imran, preparing for October’s national elections with his political party Tehrik-e-Insaf, said that the Kashmir issue was at the core of the problem.

“I am also ready to help as mediator but until and unless the Kashmir issue is solved, cricket cannot be played continuously,” he said.

“I know a lot of people in Indian cricket and can use my influence but if anything were to happen in India cricket would stop again.”

The boycott has kept the ICC’s 10-year tour programme in limbo as all 10 Test playing countries are required to play each other at home and away.

At the recent ICC executive board meeting in London, Pakistan refused to sign up to the plan until there is an about turn from the Indian government.

But ICC president elect Ehsan Mani believes that a deal will be reached sooner rather than later.

Speaking on a BBC Sport Online forum on Sunday, the Pakistani, who takes up his role full-time next June, said he expected the countries to be playing by then.

“There is a huge amount of goodwill between the two cricket boards and they are keen to resume ties,” he said. “But there is a lot going on in the background to resolve this.”—PPI