Wasim wants Pakistan to go ahead with India tour (13 January 1999)

13 January 1999

Wasim wants Pakistan to go ahead with India tour

AFP

KARACHI, Jan 13 (AFP) - Newly appointed Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram on Wednesday called for the upcoming tour to India to go ahead, saying there was massive interest in the contest in both countries.

"As far as we know the Pakistan tour is still on," Wasim told reporters, saying the final decision lay with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The ace Pakistani paceman said the tour would provide the team with an opportunity to build up for the World Cup later this year.

He said he believed sporting links would do a world of good in establishing better relations between the two countries.

Wasim said field hockey, squash and football players had been visiting India but the cricket team's tour had more importance because of the game's greater following in Pakistan and India.

Cricket matches between the two countries have always been tension packed and exciting, he said, stressing he never felt pressure by playing in India.

Wasim reiterated his earlier suggestion about playing Test matches on neutral territory.

"It is possible and matches can be played in Sharjah, Dhaka and Toronto," he said.

Source :: AFP