Karachi, June 11: Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal today proposed tours by legendary cricketers as sporting ambassadors between Pakistan and India, saying they could serve as a bridge to break the political stalemate between the nuclear rivals. "I think there should be tours of sporting ambassadors to Pakistan and India which can pave the way for a revival of cricket between the two neighbours who have so many things in common," Iqbal said.
"The likes of Hanif Mohammad, Zaheer Abbas and Imran Khan should tour India and take feedback from people, and India's Sunil Gavaskar, Bishen Bedi and Kapil Dev should come to Pakistan...." The South Asian nuclear rivals are moving cautiously towards normalisation since Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee offered a "hand of friendship" to Pakistan in April.
"I am surprised that meaningful dialogue has yet to take place amidst efforts to restore peace between Pakistan and India. There is a need to revive late general Ziaul Haq's slogan 'cricket for peace,'" said Iqbal, who captained Pakistan during India's tour in 1979-80. "Cricket has the capacity to form a bridge between Pakistan and India and other things can move forward on that bridge," he added. Bureau Report