New Delhi, June 20: Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Malcolm Gray has suggested that India and Pakistan resume their bilateral cricketing relations in neutral countries if political issues continue to hamper resumption of exchanges on the field. "The game would rather have Indo-Pakistan cricket ties in neutral venues than no exchange at all. The game is being hurt by this impasse", Gray said over the phone from London, shortly before he demitted his office yesterday. Criticising the Indian government's stand to play Pakistan only in multilateral events, ruling out any bilateral ties in either countries or at neutral venues, Gray said "Sports should not be used for political ends, that's the position of the ICC". "But at the national level, it seems to be used for political ends". He said cricket could actually act towards unifying and bringing people of both countries closer.

"Cricket can be a great unifier and bring closer people of both countries", he said.

Bureau Report