Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s decision to resume bilateral series with Pakistan.
The BCCI announced after its working committee meeting the decision to resume ties by announcing to host Pakistan for three ODI and two T20 international in December-January subject to clearance from the Indian government.
“Being a Mumbaikar I feel what is the urgency when there is no co-operation from the other side,” Gavaskar told NDTV.
Cricketing relations between the two countries thawed ever since the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai and the two nations have met just once since, in the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Chandigarh.
Gavaskar also felt that the series would add to India’s already-exhaustive international commitments in the coming months.
New Zealand, England and Australia are scheduled to arrive in India for full tours when the season begins in August.
“Well, my first reaction is that the time the players have between the England series, it is not going to be there. They are playing England in November-December but now they are not going to get the breather.”
“Players need the time to look after their injuries and get better,” he added.
Across the border, former players, however, were happy with BCCI’s announcement.
“The best remedy is to play. At least the country will be busy watching cricket. It will be good for cricket and Indo-Pak relationship. Both the countries should be playing cricket every year. It is a very good sign,” said batting great Zaheer Abbas.
“People in Pakistan are very happy. India are becoming a great power in cricket. Playing with India we can improve our cricket also,” he said.
gavaskar saab apki age ke sath ye chonchle ache nahi lagte…aram se baithein aur marne ka intizar karein bus.