Pakistan and India must work out bilateral series: Shoaib Akhtar


Pakistan and India must work out bilateral series: Shoaib Akhtar
High five for Sachin’s Blasters bowler Shoaib Akhtar and captain Sachin Tendulkar. Photo by Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images.

Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar requests Sachin to stage All-Stars event in Pakistan

Khelne Do!

Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar has requested Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar to hold the All-Stars Cricket event in Pakistan as well. Akhtar, who is part of Sachin’s Blasters in the ongoing T20 event in the US, told some Pakistani journalists in Houston that he was hopeful that one day the cricket extravaganza would be held in Pakistan. “I have had a word with Sachin [Tendulkar] on the possibility of the all-stars series in Pakistan one day. Sachin was happy and expressed willingness to materialise this idea,” he said.

Three T20 matches are part of the All-Stars event with the first match being played in New York last Sunday before a crowd of around 36,000 fans. The second match was held at the Minute-Maid park in Houston where the former stars, who make up the two teams led by Tendulkar and Shane Warne, have been having nets. Akhtar, who was a big hit in the first match with his bowling and showmanship, said if the All-Stars series goes to Pakistan it can act as a bridge between the two neighbouring countries.

Team spirit: Captain Sachin Tendulkar with fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar at a press conference in New York. — AFP

Team spirit: Captain Sachin Tendulkar with fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar at a press conference in New York. — AFP

Besides Akhtar other Pakistani former greats like Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq and Moin Khan are part of the cricket festival while Virender Sehwag, V.V.S. Laxman, Sourav Ganguly and Ajit Agarkar have accompanied Tendulkar from India. Warne’s Warriors won the first two games, in New York and Houston, with the third still to be held in Los Angeles.

Akhtar also said he was disappointed at the ongoing stalemate in Indo-Pak series.

“It is now time for both countries to play against each other more regularly and engage in sporting activities. It’s about time that Pakistan and India should move forward and play cricket against each other, it will help in bridging the gap between the neighbours,” Akhtar said.

The fast bowler is playing for Tendulkar’s team in the three match series. “I am playing from Sachin’s team and we are enjoying each other’s company and getting to know each other better. Pakistan and India must work out the bilateral series,” he said.

— Press Trust of India, Nov 11, 2015




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