London, Oct 22: International Cricket Council President Ehsan Mani today welcomed an announcement from the Indian government that brings the resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan a step closer. "The international cricket community is delighted with this positive step," Mani said in a statement here.
"The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the great rivalaries not only in cricket but also in world sport and the resumption of series between these countries is a boost for the game," he said.
Sinha, while speaking to reporters in New Delhi today proposed 12 confidence building measures including full resumption of cricketing and other sporting links with Pakistan.
According to the ICC calendar India is scheduled to tour Pakistan in February next year.
This will be India's first tour to Pakistan since 1989 while Pakistan last visited India in 1998-99.
Mani said "I believe that these matches will help build greater understanding between the two countries."
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board have both worked hard to revive the series and I am very pleased that the Indian government has taken this step today," he said praising the efforts of all parties involved in reviving the series.
Bureau Report