Binny calls for former players' help in resuming India-Pakistan ties

Roger Binny has expressed the view that former cricketers from India and Pakistan could play a vital role in the resumption of bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan. According to a report by Reuters, Binny said: "Ex-players can increase pressure on the governments by giving out statements and interacting at every level."

Emphasising that the decision to freeze India-Pakistan cricket links was a purely political one, Binny said: "I know that people in both countries and even the players want to see the two countries play against each other. There is no bigger contest for them than an Indo-Pak clash."

Binny stressed that the two teams should play in each other's countries, instead of arranging matches at neutral venues. "You really can't pinpoint an exact time. But I think it is a good idea to start playing at the junior and A team levels and than move onto the senior teams. Relations between the players off the field have always been good, but it is sad that we have not played more often against each other."

The last time the Indian team played a Test series in Pakistan was in 1989, while Pakistan toured India in 1998-99 for a two-Test series.