Karachi, July 14: Singapore cricket coach Brendon Kuruppu has called on India and Pakistan to restore cricketing links for the benefit of the sport across Asia. Kuruppu said previous one-day tournaments featuring India and Pakistan hosted by Singapore had generated precious funds for the city's cricket authorities. "Singapore is a fledgling cricket nation and looks to Pakistan and India for the promotion of the game," said Kuruppu, a former Sri Lankan test player who is now coaching Singapore's team.
"We hope India-Pakistan revive their cricket as the deadlock is hurting cricket in the region badly," he said.
"Teams like Pakistan and India are huge draw cards in Singapore and by hosting one-day tri-series thrice we managed to raise good funds which were materialised in the development of the sport," said Kuruppu.

Singapore hosted tri-series in 1996, 2000 and 2001 before India refused to participate in off-shore events which it claimed harboured match-fixing.

India also snapped all bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan over political tension three years ago, slamming the door on limited overs tournaments at neutral venues like Singapore, Sharjah and Canada.

"It would be good if Pakistan and India return to Singapore and our association has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) give us international events," he said.

Bureau Report.