SHARJAH, April, 11: Former Chief of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Raj Singh Dungarpur, has urged the Indian board to response to the positive stance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for reviving cricketing ties betweem two countries.

“ PCB stance is very positive and BCCI must reciprocate with the same spirit and zeal” he told APP in an interview here Thursday.

He said BCCI must try hard to persuade the Indian government to break the deadlock in cricket relations and cricket activities should be revived at all levels.

Pakistan and India has not played since June 2000. Both the team last played in the Asia Cup in Dhaka and since then the Indian Government has directed BCCI not to play Pakistan at any level even in the off shore tournaments.

But PCB has a very supporting stance on the issue and had always urged their counterparts to re-start playing cricket.

“ Pakistan’s offer to play India at any venue is generous and BCCI must show the same willingness in the larger interest of the game”, he said adding that the cricketing ties should not only be revived at senior level but also at all level, including visit of junior teams .

“Junior teams should visit each other very frequently which will help in reducing tension between the two countries “, added the former BCCI chief.

“Instead of Test matches, I propose to both the boards to arrange a three to five one-day series which will be a good omen for the cricket”, he said.

Dungarpur said cricket had already suffered a lot due to suspension of ties between Indian and Pakistan and people of the sub-continent were deprived of action-packed game.

“When we talk about cricket , it is always India and Pakistan which make cricket thrilling and interesting and cricket without these two teams the cricket is not complete “, he concluded.—APP