Following the recent terror attack in Gurdaspur, things look bleak for the probable India vs Pakistan series in December, but Pakistan captain Azhar Ali remains hopeful and is keen on playing against arch-rivals India.
"It would be good for cricket if Pakistan and India play. We want to play because doing well against India is always special," PTI quoted Azhar Ali as saying.
The BCCI have already ruled out the bilateral series for now in view of the terror attack, in which 10 people, including seven militants, were killed.
Even former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, who was part of the tour to Pakistan in 2004 and is aware of the special feeling of playing a high-voltage series, has backed BCCI's decision.
Though players from both teams will be eager to play against one another, the onus is on BCCI and, more importantly, the Indian government for the series to be made official.
The PCB have been excited about the series and their members have even held talks with the BCCI members for the same, but nothing concrete came out of it for the series to be made official.
"It is in the hands of the cricket authorities and governments. If we can have a series with India it would be great," Azhar said.
Things have not been received well on the other side of the border, with former PCB Chairman Khalid Mehmood stating it is only when Pakistan are to host a series that such cases crop up and create an obstacle.
"What is noteworthy is that whenever India has to host us they manage to do it regardless of the situation between the two countries. The problems arise whenever it is time for Pakistan to host a series against them," Mehmood said.
India and Pakistan have not been playing any such series after the Mumbai terror attack, though they met during an ICC event, 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which was watched all over the world.
