ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: Heroes of Pakistan’s inaugural cricket tour of India more than 50 years ago have called for the resumption of regular matches to help ease tensions between the bitterly divided neighbours.

Political differences have plagued fixtures since the two cricket-mad countries first faced each other in 1952-53 following partition in 1947.

But surviving members of Pakistan’s 18-man touring squad, who were honoured for their efforts by Pakistan’s president on Tuesday night, said they wanted to see regular series resume.

India has not toured Pakistan since 1989-90 although Pakistan played in India three years ago.

“The level of excitement is too high, it’s spell-binding when Pakistan and India play and it is my wish to see India play Pakistan again,” said Hanif Mohammad, Pakistan’s opener on the 1952-53 tour which India won 2-1.

Fazal Mahmood, who took 12 wickets in Pakistan’s first ever victory over India on the tour, said matches could help heal the rift between the two nations, who have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

“People in both the countries are mad over cricket and if cricket is resumed we would be more close to each other and bloodshed would be avoided,” said Fazal, who took 139 wickets in 34 Tests.

Fazal, now 76, recalled the atmosphere at the tour matches more than half-a-century ago.

“The atmosphere was electrifying and people came to watch us in large numbers,” he said. “Indian players like Lala Amarnath, Vinoo Mankad and Polly Umrigar were competitive yet friendly.

Imtiaz Ahmed, wicket-keeper on the India tour, said it was a “huge loss” that India and Pakistan did not play more often, although he said cricketing values had changed over the years.

“We used to play for the country and now the game is commercialised and it is a huge loss, both commercially and public interest-wise, that India does not play us,” said Imtiaz.

Fazal recalled that a young Indira Gandhi, daughter of India’s first prime minister and herself a future leader, was very upset when Pakistan rose to her challenge and beat India for the first time.

“A very young lady named Indira Gandhi challenged us,” Fazal recalled.

“Best of luck but you can’t win against India,” he quoted Gandhi as telling the Pakistan side.—AFP