JOHANNESBURG, May 1: South African cricket authorities are hoping that new President of Indian cricket board, Sharad Pawar, would assist in resolving a six-year old dispute that has kept top players Nicky Boje and Herschelle Gibbs away from playing in India.

Chief Executive of United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), Gerald Majola, said he hoped Pawar would be able to convince Indian police to drop the investigation against Gibbs and Boje.

The two players are still wanted for questioning by police in India for their role in match-fixing scandal of 2000 which plunged international cricket into a crisis and saw a life ban imposed on late South African captain Hansie Cronje.

“We are working hard behind scenes to assist Gibbs and Boje to be able to tour India. We hope Pawar will assist us,” Majola said.—Agencies