Wasim urges Modi to help revive Indo-Pak ties

KARACHI: Legendary paceman Wasim Akram on Thursday urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end his country’s cricketing boycott of Pakistan saying the ongoing impasse was hurting fans across the globe.
Pakistan is awaiting New Delhi’s clearance for a full series, the first between the two countries since 2007, that was due to be played in United Arab Emirates starting December.
Recent cross-border tensions including firing across the disputed territory of Kashmir have put the tour in doubt, but Wasim, 49, said he was hopeful Modi would give it the green light.
“I request prime minister Modi to clear the tour,” Wasim said. “I heard that he told his cabinet that he doesn’t have any problems in playing sports with Pakistan so cricket should flourish.
“What I have noticed is that PM Modi is striving to make India a superpower and they are cricketing superpower so they have a duty to look around the world and cooperate in others’ progress so I am sure he will okay the series,” he added.
Wasim, considered the best left-arm pacer in history, said India versus Pakistan fixtures were a part of cricket’s fabric and their loss was hurting the game.
“It’s the loss for the cricketing world which has a small base. India-Pakistan is the ultimate contest and I grew up dreaming to feature in an India-Pakistan match.”