India, Pakistan must talk to revive cricket: Sunil Gavaskar

Former batting great Sunil Gavaskar believes New Delhi and Islamabad must start a dialogue to pave the way for the revival of regular matches between India and Pakistan

Sharjah: Former batting great Sunil Gavaskar believes New Delhi and Islamabad must start a dialogue to pave the way for the revival of regular matches between India and Pakistan.


Sunil Gavaskar 

Pakistan Cricket Board is awaiting a response from their counterparts — Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) — for a proposed series in December-January to be played in United Arab Emirates.

Gavaskar said the mistrust between the two countries should be removed. "I think to solve any problem people need to talk, unless you talk to each other there is no solution of problems so that is the first step," Gavaskar told AFP on the sidelines of the third and final Test between Pakistan and England in Sharjah.

Gavaskar, who scored 10,122 runs in 125 Tests for India during an illustrious career, stressed the final call will always come from the government.

"I don't think any sport has that power to force any government to change it's views but when two countries meet, their supporters come and watch the matches, they mix up and understanding develops. "That gives signals to governments, but I am not a politician and I am speaking as a former player, unless you talk you cannot solve any problem," said Gavaskar.

"I don't think former players speaking will matter. Goverment takes decision after a lot of thinking and I don't see any former player speaking makes a difference."

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