Asif Iqbal calls for past greats to improve Indo-Pak relations

Asif Iqbal, the former Pakistan captain, has called on past legends of the game to act as sporting ambassadors between Pakistan and India, saying that they could help resolve the political stalemate between the two countries.

"The likes of Hanif Mohammad, Zaheer Abbas and Imran Khan should tour India and take feedback from people," said Asif, "and India's Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Bedi and Kapil Dev should come to Pakistan."

Asif Iqbal made his first-class debut in Hyderabad in 1959, before migrating to Pakistan in 1962, where he restarted his career. He went on to play 58 Tests and 10 one-day internationals before retiring in 1979-80, ironically after captaining Pakistan to defeat against India.

Last week Vikram Verma, India's Sports Minister, said a decision would soon be made on whether the two countries would play two one-day internationals on a home-and-away basis in September. No Indian team has toured Pakistan for a full Test tour since 1989-90, a state of affairs that has prompted old-timers to recall the 17-year freeze from 1961 to 1978.