ISLAMABAD: Former Test captain Zaheer Abbas praised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi for making all-out efforts in connection with the likely resumption of bilateral series between Pakistan and India.

The former captain said that Pakistan-India series is widely watched throughout the cricketing world in general and in the subcontinent in particular.

“People of the subcontinent love cricket and the clash between the two cricketing giants will raise standard of the game as well,” stated Zaheer.

It is instructive to note that the PCB in wake of International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting held last week announced it would conditionally support reforms proposed by the ‘Big Three’ which is to be officially signed in June this year.

According to Sethi, the signing will bring major benefits to Pakistan in shape of Test series against India from 2015 to 2023 in accordance with the ICC’s Future Tour Programme which may earn PCB around $300m.

Zaheer known as the Asian Bradman said the national team can get a sizable number of quality cricketers from the said series.

“There was time when Pakistan were a better side in all respects but now India have improved remarkably, producing some of the finest batsmen in the world with a lot of cricket being played there,” he said.

Also, former Test bowler Sarfraz Nawaz was of the view that governments of both countries must put in their efforts in connection with the Pakistan-India series.

“The PCB chairman had been paying special attention to Pakistan-India series which could be successfully held if governments of both countries show their interests,” he stated.

No full series between Pakistan and India have been held since 2007 with both the countries playing a short limited-overs series staged in India in December 2012.

“Both countries can improve their relation only through sports activities,” he said, adding cricket could generate income which would result in betterment of the economy of both countries.—APP