Misbah for revival of Pakistan, India cricket

KARACHI (AFP) - Pakistans Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq on Monday joined calls for a cricket revival with India, sayingmillions of fans are missingout from match suspensions over strained political ties. Cricketing relations between the two countries shouldnormalisebecausemillions of people are missing real cricket played between the two nations, Misbahsaid. India severed cricket links with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. But a high-profile World Cup semi-final between the two nations in India two weeks ago raised hopes of a revival, albeit at neutral venues. Pakistans status as an international cricket host came to an abrupt end with attacks on the visiting Sri Lankan team in March 2009. Misbah said it was imperative for world cricket that both nations play each other regularly. Cricket between Pak-India is always different and has the intensity and uniqueness which keep fans glued to their seats. By not having Indo-Pak cricket regularly, we are depriving people of real cricket, the type of matches they want to see, said Misbah. If you ask any player from either side, they miss Indo-Pak cricket because they enjoy it no end. Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad and Imran Khan have also stressed the need for revival in cricket ties.

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