SHARJAH: Indian great Sunil Gavaskar indicated on Sunday that something positive might come out in relation to the India-Pakistan series.

The batting legend, who is in Sharjah to witness the final Test between Pakistan and England, hopes that the deadlock between the two countires will break and the two arch-rivals will once again collide on the cricket field.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already requested the government and it is being looked at and I hope and wish that cricket relations resume,” Gavaskar said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is waiting for a reply from the BCCI for a bilateral series which was scheduled to be played in the UAE in December-January but the political conflict has put the series in doubt.

Gavaskar said Pakistan were missing out on playing at home as he recalled memories of playing in Pakistan.

“I feel Pakistan are losing out at not to be able to play at home and in front of their own crowd,” he said. “The opportunity for youngsters in Pakistan is lost because of no international cricket being played in their country.

“As a child, I always wanted to see the great players in flesh and the memory still lingers in the mind of my eyes. I saw Hanif Mohammad score 160 in the Bombay Test when I was a schoolboy and what a treat it was to see a great batsman in action.

“Today’s youngsters no doubt wish the same,” he added.

“I always loved playing against Pakistan in Pakistan and in India. My complaint is that every time I went to Pakistan I put on weight. In 1978 when I toured first time my waistline was 32 but the Pakistan cooking and the dishes were so delicious that we couldn’t help but eat even when playing in a Test!”

When asked if people like him and Pakistan stars help in reviving cricket relations between the two countires, Gavaskar admitted that it is now a matter that lies in the hands of the government.

“Their directive is important and I wish it will be positive,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2015

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