ICC T20 World Cup 2016: Organising India-Pakistan match easier than playing, says Sourav Ganguly

Kolkata, March 9 (IANS) Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday said he believes organising an India-Pakistan encounter is easier than playing in one. “Organising is easier than playing in an India-Pak encounter,” the former India captain told reporters here. ICC CEO Dave Richardson announced at a media conference in New Delhi on Wednesday that the India-Pakistan World Twenty 20 tie will now be played in the Eden Gardens here instead of Dharamsala. Asked about the pitch at the Eden Gardens, Ganguly said: “It will be a pata (flat) wicket.” Ganguly had featured in 53 One-Day internationals against Pakistan and scored 1,652 runs at an average of 35.14. READ: ICC World T20 2016: India to issue 250 visas to Pakistan fans for each game their team plays

Earlier, Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and his Pakistan counterpart Inzamam-ul-Haq have called for the resumption of bilateral series as it will improve relations between the two nations. Speaking at a conclave on cricket organised by Aaj Tak news channel on Monday, Ganguly and Inzamam turned nostalgic as they remembered their playing days. “Cricketing series between India and Pakistan should happen. It will be good for cricketing ties between the two nations and it will also help to normalize relations between the two nations. People of both countries want cricket should happen between the two teams, they love the players and love to watch the match. Therefore the matches should happen,” Inzamam said.

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“There is a lot of brotherhood between the people of the two nations. When India visited Pakistan in 2004, they ate at several hotels and restaurants. But nobody took money from them. Even when they went shopping, Pakistan players used to personally accompany them and show them around. Even the shopkeepers did not take money from them,” he added. The legendary batsman refused to comment on former Pakistan captain Imran Khan’s statement that Pakistan should not play in the World Twenty20 match against India in Dharamsala. “There is no security threat to Pakistan team. There has never been security issues, so cricket should happen,” he asserted.