Published: Dec 15, 2015, 02:26 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 15, 2015, 02:33 AM (IST)
Kolkata: Former India cricketer Arun Lal today said that India should not call off bilateral series with Pakistan as sport was a way to improve relation between the two countries. “I am always of the opinion that politics should not come in way of sport. Bilateral series with any country is welcome. “As a sports lover, I always welcome a series with Pakistan. I would love to see a series with them,” Lal said. “It’s through sport and people to people contact there’s a better chance to improve relation,” said the cricketer-turned-commentator. ALSO READ: Anurag Thakur: BCCI awaiting Indian governemnt’s go ahead for India-Pakistan series
There’s little chance of the proposed series between the two countries to be happening this year but Lal remains hopeful of the chances of an Indo-Pak series in near future. “Even if it does not happen now, it will happen soon for sure,” the 60-year-old former India opener said. Lal was speaking at a promotional event at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K run to be held here December 20. About 6500 runners have so far registered for the second edition of the meet carrying a prize purse of Rs 22.80 lakh. Besides the 25km run, the event will also be held across three more categories of Senior Citizen’s Run (4km), Champions with Disability (4km) and Ananda Run for 5km.
Earlier, a day after publicly “giving up hopes” on the proposed Indo-Pak cricket series taking place, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan today once again extended deadline for BCCI “till tonight” to take a final call on the series. Talking to the media in Lahore, the PCB chief said the series was still not officially called off. “I have asked (England and Wales Cricket Board president) Giles Clarke to bring an answer from India. He is going to call me in the evening to tell me the final reply from the Indians,” he said. ALSO READ: PCB has given up on India-Pakistan bilateral series, says Shahryar Khan
Clarke is believed to be playing the role of a mediator between the Pakistan and Indian Cricket Boards and was also present at a meeting between Khan and BCCI chief Shashank Manohar in Dubai last month.
