Kamran urges India to tour Pakistan

Published November 30, 2008

LAHORE, Nov 29: Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, who returned from Mumbai after the postponement of the Twenty20 Champions League due to the terrorist attacks there urged India to visit Pakistan as per schedule in Jan-Feb and emphasised that this is the time to support each other.

“We were ready to play the Champions League matches because we believe we should support India at this crunch time,” Kamran said at the National Cricket Academy. “Similarly, I will advise the Indians to support Pakistan by touring in January-February.”

Kamran said if the two countries consistently played against each other, the other nations could also change their attitude towards the sub-continent. “I think this is the best time for Pakistan and India to support each other and the friends on either side could play a positive role,” he said.

Kamran, to a question, said he and his colleague Sohail Tanvir were not staying at the Taj hotel where the terrorists attacked, but in another hotel of the same name which was some 10 kilometres away from the ugly scene.

Kamran, said he was not panicking after the incident.

“We were not in the hotel when the hotel management informed us that there was nothing serious, but soon they advised us to come back to the hotel,” Kamran said.

He said though the situation was worst, their hosts made fine security arrangements for them as they were safe and sound, but the family back in Pakistan was worried.

To a question regarding if the Indian media’s blaming Pakistan caused him any panic, Kamran negated the impression, saying: “The media talked to us but they did not give any hint about Pakistan’s involvement.”

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