Former fast-bowler Wasim Akram has lashed out at the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its inability to arrange a bilateral cricket series between Pakistan and India, the Hindustan Times reported on Friday.

Akram, also known as the Sultan of Swing, accused the ICC of being powerless against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and said that it was unfortunate that cricket was being affected by the political relations between the country.

“I don’t think ICC has the power to pursue BCCI, but again I have always said people-to-people contact is necessary. Politics and sport should be separate,” Akram was quoted as saying.

He expressed disappointment that young cricketers were being kept from playing against each other. The former Pakistani skipper said that a series between India and Pakistan would be more exciting than the Ashes.

"Twenty million people watch the Ashes while a Pakistan-India match is watched by a billion people,” he insisted.

The last time Pakistan played against India was in the ICC Champions Trophy final, where the latter were defeated by 180 runs.