NEW DELHI: Citing the strong affection shared by the two countries, former off-spinner Saeed Ajmal suggested that Pakistan and India play cricket matches in their home nations.
Pakistan last traveled to India in 2012-13 for an ODI series consisting of three matches and a T20I series. The last time India played in Pakistan was at the Asia Cup in 2008. The two teams have not played a Test series since 2007. India and Pakistan now only compete against one another in multi-nation competitions due to the deterioration in their ties.
"Even if the India versus Pakistan match happens on the moon, it will be huge. There is a lot of love between India and Pakistan and we must go to each other's countries," said Ajmal on the sidelines of GloFans High School Cricket Cup launch that will take place in Sharjah and Ajman in November.
Ajmal also batted for the survival of Test cricket, whose future has been in danger due to emergence of T20 leagues. "There is a need to promote long format (Test) cricket. The ones who play the longest format can play any other format," Ajmal said as per IANS.
Ajmal was effusive in his praise for star batters of the current era.
"I like Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Babar Azam, and Rohit Sharma, they are good players." He also lauded fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was Player of the Tournament in India's triumph at the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. "Bumrah is very intelligent bowler and intelligence is required with speed," he concluded.
