assalamoalikum :jhanda:
(BBC SPORT | Cricket | Asian rivals seek breakthrough)
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Relations between the India and Pakistan players is good
The heads of the Indian and Pakistan cricket are set to meet to discuss the political stand-off which prevents the two teams resuming their on-field rivalry.
They have not played Test cricket against each other since February 1999 because of a long-running dispute over territory in Kashmir.
And although the two sides met at the World Cup in South Africa, it appears to have had little impact in lowering the political temperature.
The Indian government recently refused to sanction a tour to Pakistan this month, prompting Pakistan to respond by withdrawing its team from the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in August.
"It was on the understanding that India would play Pakistan in a Test series, even if that be on neutral territory, that we agreed to forego our chance of hosting the Asia Cup.
“But, when even that is not materialising, why should Pakistan play at all?” said Pakistan Cricket Board chief Tauqir Zia.
He is due to come face to face with Jagmohan Dalmiya, head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCSL), when they attend the Asian Cricket Foundation meeting in Dubai on 3 May.
Like every Pakistani, I want the revival of cricket between the two countries, says Tauqir Zia
And it is expected that they will find time for talks outside the formal agenda.
Zia told the Calcutta-based Telegraph newspaper that unless Pakistan and India “join hands”, the Asian Cricket Council, which is involved in developing the game right across the continent, would have no future.
But he said Pakistan would not go back on their decision to withdraw from the Asia Cup.
“I have received several calls from Asian Cricket Council president Mohammad Ali Asghar requesting me to reconsider the decision. But I am firm and though Asia Cup will be discussed at the ACF, there would be status quo as far as Pakistan’s stand is concerned.”
Resolving the differences between India and Pakistan is a top priority for Ehsan Mani, who replaces Malcolm Gray as International Cricket Council president in June.
Speaking last year, he acknowledged, however: “We can only facilitate dialogue and persuade governments that it is not healthy for sports and politics to mix but we are not in a position to dictate.”